I broke up with my boyfriend because he's a picky eater - I feel bad but it gave me too much of an ick

Daily Mail​

11-05-2025

A woman has revealed that she is dumping her boyfriend over his 'picky' eating habits - after venting her frustrations over his limited palate of chicken fingers and mac and cheese.
After going online to express her growing anxiety over his penchant for plain meals, she was eventually convinced to end things by commenters.
Taking to the hugely popular Am I The A**hole forum on Reddit, the anonymous poster detailed her concerns about his lack of culinary adventurousness.
His restricted diet was already becoming a burden, she said, and she feared it would only get worse with time.
The post has since garnered more than 13,000 upvotes and some 2,300 comments, many from users with their own cautionary tales about dating so-called 'chicken finger men'.
The woman, thought to be from the US, wrote: 'My boyfriend has tons of food restrictions and is picky in general.
'He basically can only eat chicken fingers, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and pad Thai.
'I've never seen him eat a vegetable. We just started dating a few months ago and I love him, but I eat everything and am very laid back.'
She went on to say that she was already feeling the pressure of planning her day around his eating preferences, especially while on holiday.
'Even if a restaurant does have chicken fingers or mac and cheese, it won't be the same as what we get at home and I just don't want to hear about it while I'm on vacation,' she said, before ending with the question: 'AITA? I feel bad.'
Following a flood of replies - many urging her to rethink the relationship - the woman later returned to the thread to confirm her decision.
'EDIT: I am breaking up with him. After seeing a glimpse into my future via your responses, I realised I cannot do this and it will eventually wreck us. Thank you.'
The comments were flooded with personal anecdotes and firm opinions about the practical toll of dating such a picky eater.
'Told myself NEVER again with the picky eaters after dating a chicken finger man lol,' one user wrote.
'Somehow it will always be you who is expected to plan the meals too.
'I understand not liking some things, but unless this is medical/allergies there's a point where this is just stuck up and annoying as a fully grown man.'
Another commenter slammed the boyfriend's expectation to simply accommodate him.
'Think of all the important events that involve food - family gatherings, Christmas, weddings. Is he gonna sit there and complain about the food options?
'I'd be so embarrassed, unless it was because he has a medical condition.'
Some took a more humorous approach to the bleak picture painted by the woman.
'It's only been a few months. Do you want chicky fingies and choky milk for anniversary dinners? Your wedding? Never traveling with your partner?' one person asked.
'For the love of God, please do end it,' another said bluntly. 'You deserve a relationship with an adult, not a toddler.'
Echoing the sentiment, one said: 'Look ahead a few years and picture your table at your wedding.
'Think about the menu options your guests will have - or would he be eating chicken fingers and chocolate milk while everyone else is having steak or fish?'
Some more optimistic commenters shared stories of partners who began as picky eaters but eventually made compromises.
In some cases, people felt the picky eating habits weren't quite as big a dealbreaker.
'If he's be self-sufficient I wouldn't care about what he eats or doesn't eat (or what other people think about it,' one offered. 'If other people are that judgy that they take notice or offence I wouldn't want them as friends anyway).
'But he needs to find food options himself without complaining or expecting other people to do it for him like he's a child. He could even bring his own food (not to a restaurant obviously) or get something at a supermarket. Maybe skip dinner with OP because sitting there with just a coke watching her eat will be awkward.
'On the other hand you'll never have a nice dinner date with him ever. If that's something you like maybe it's just not a good compatibility even if he'd start doing all the other things.
'I personally hate eating out most times and are not very exited most other times about it, I wouldn't care about that. But if it's something you like as a couple self-care thing than that'll possibly grow resentment one day.'
Still, the overwhelming majority was convinced the girlfriend should flee before the honeymoon stage starts to sour - and it would seem the poster herself was in agreement.
In a follow-up comment she penned: 'Honestly, the level of irritation I am experiencing when people on here suggest I should just let him come and listen to his complaints are really making me realise I need to end things.
'I'm not that bothered by it now but low key, I think I would be embarrassed if other people knew he could only eat chicky fingies and choky milk and the thought of taking him to an event or a dinner with friends/family and having him eat like a toddler makes me already experience second hand embarrassment.'
The post joins a growing genre of viral 'ick' stories that highlight how seemingly minor quirks - such as a partner's diet - can become deal-breakers.