Picture it: You and your perfect someone are sitting down for a romantic dinner date. The lights are dimmed. The harpist plays softly in the background. Slowly, you two lean in for the kiss…and he plops a Tic Tac into your mouth. What. Just. Happened?
Sometimes, the inevitable transpires, spoiling an otherwise great evening. Fortunately for you, inopportune meal choices are completely avoidable. From bad breath to a gloomy next morning, these are the foods that’ll ruin the perfect date and the ones you should opt for instead.
Pining for Pasta?
Eat This: Mac and Cheese
Photo by Parisa Soraya
The perfect, filling cheese-to-pasta combination that everyone loves. Even your date will want a bite! Mac and cheese is much neater than spaghetti and won’t leave you with garlic breath.
Not That: Pasta with Pesto
Photo by Pankaj Kaushal
Pasta with Pesto is one of my personal favorite dishes, it is hard to refuse a heaping bowl this Italian delicacy. Unfortunately, it is a dish best eaten alone. No one looks charming with a green smile.
Bent on Having Bread?
Eat This: Plain Dinner Roll with Butter
Photo by Alina Polishuk
Found on the table at almost every restaurant before dinner, you rarely have to worry about unforeseen consequences from eating one (or five). Just don’t lose your appetite for dinner!
Not that: Garlic Bread
Photo by Luna Zhang
Resist the temptation to shovel this garlic-y goodness down your throat while waiting for your main dish. Garlic scares more than just vampires away.
Hungry for Hen?
Eat This: Half a Roasted Chicken
Photo by Amanda Shulman
Nothing provides variety quite like this meal; you have the breast, the leg, and a wing. This can be eaten in any setting, from a fancy Italian restaurant to the pub down the street.
Not That: Saucy Wild Wings
Photo by Lauren Beane
Even though they are the perfect sports bar appetizer, there is no way to stay clean if utensils can’t be used. Hidden behind a wall of used napkins, you know it’s a bad sign when your date points out the splotch of sauce that mysteriously appeared on your forehead…
Seeking a Side Dish?
Eat This: Peas
Photo by Elizabeth Farrell
This is a vegetable everyone loves. Small and green, peas go well with every type of cuisine, from risotto to fried rice. You know you can always find this to order, no matter where you and your date decide to eat.
Not That: Beans
Photo by Kelly Logan
Beans beans, the Magical Fruit. The more you eat, the more you…Especially if you intend to have some “after dinner” plans with this special someone, you definitely don’t want the chance to finish that statement.
Craving Corn?
Eat This: Corn Bread or Corn Pudding
Photo by Meredith Simmons
There has to be some way to eat corn at your date’s family barbecue. Instead of corn on the cob, stick with the other corn options. You know you will be able to find cornbread AND corn pudding at every outdoors family gathering.
Not That: Corn on the Cob
Photo by Tiare Brown
To put it plain and simple: There is no sexy way to eat this. Your date stares lovingly across the table, only to find you viciously gnawing away like a dog with its favorite bone. There’s plenty of opportunities to unleash your inner beast, just not at the dinner table.
Fancy some Fish?
Eat This: Baked Salmon
Photo by Yonatan Soler
Another versatile dish, you can expect to find this brain food at every type of restaurant. Light and healthy, you won’t feel too full and lump-like to participate in any after dinner activities.
Not That: Sushi
Taken by Nicolle Luftman
While it is hilarious to laugh at each other’s futile attempts to use chopsticks, save it for a different Japanese dish. The majority of sushi is prepared with raw and undercooked fish. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I wouldn’t want to risk salmonella crashing my date.
Dreaming of Dessert?
Eat This: Sorbet
Photo by Katherine Richter
A light and refreshing end to dinner is perfect for setting the mood for the rest of the night. With a huge variety of fruity flavors, feel no guilt as you find another excuse to prolong the evening.
Not That: Bowl of Fruit
Photo by Kristine Mahan
A bowl of fruit will not cause residue to remain in your teeth. It will not make your breath smell. It will not give you a food baby. However, knowing you just unnecessarily spent $7 on a cup of berries can certainly spoil the mood, especially when the check comes.