There’s nothing like the pressure of planning there perfect date night. Not only do you have to consider what your date will enjoy, but what will also continue making the best impression.
What's Your Most Important Advice For Planning A First Date?
- Avoid foods that cause gas, like beans and cruciferous vegetables, to prevent discomfort and maintain a romantic atmosphere.
- Skip garlic and onions, as they not only affect your breath but can also make your whole body smell, killing the mood.
- Steer clear of messy or complex-to-eat foods that may distract from your date, like crab legs, pastas, and fried foods.
- Carbonated beverages can lead to bloating and belching, so it's best to choose flat drinks to avoid awkward moments.
- Avoid raw meats and seafood, like sushi, to reduce the risk of foodborne illness that could ruin the rest of the night.
- Beans And Broccoli Are Gas Makers
- Garlic & Onion Are Kiss Killers
- Messy Food That Is Difficult to Eat Politely
- Carbonation Is Not Going To Be Your Friend
- Smile Killers
- Raw Meat & Seafood
- Avoid Any Fermented Foods
- The Most Expensive Thing on The Menu
- Something New That You Aren't Sure How To Eat Properly
- Don't Obsess Over What "Not To Eat On Date Night"
- Additional Date Night Dinner Planning Tips!
Carefully consider the status of the relationship and goal of the date while trying to determine appropriate food options. Is this your first date, or a date night in an established relationship? Next, what do you and your date appreciate? Finally, what are your goals for the date (e.g., ending intimately, prepping for another date, ending the relationship)?
These are all important considerations when you think about where you’ll go, and what you’ll eat. But let’s assume you want to continue making plans, including spending time after dinner. Here are some foods you may want to avoid, making the evening special.
Beans And Broccoli Are Gas Makers
There is nothing that kills the romantic mood more quickly than when the gases start flowing. Not only do these cause an unpleasant environment, but also gastrointestinal distress, killing the mood in multiple ways. While everyone has their own individual triggers, there are some common foods among all people because of how they metabolize.
These include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts. Beans of all varieties are also a common offender. While these all offer amazing nutrition, they also release gases that must make their way out.
Garlic & Onion Are Kiss Killers
Garlic and onion are amazing ingredients in many dishes. There is nothing like walking by a restaurant that is cooking something up with some garlic.
However, there are many reasons why you might want to avoid these while on date night. There is the obvious effect it has on your breath, which makes getting close less than ideal.
Additionally, these have more effects beyond just your breath, especially for garlic. When you consume a large amount of garlic, the oil starts coming out through your pores too. This means you have a very pungent smell, even if you just brushed your teeth.
For onions, different onions have different aromas. If you decide to try something with onion, try to stick with sweet onions to minimize their effects.
Messy Food That Is Difficult to Eat Politely
You should also be careful how complex or messy it is to eat your food. Picture in your mind how it looks when you tear into a crustacean with your bare hands.
When you eat something difficult, you get in the way of actually connecting with your date. Leave these fun foods for a different meal, and choose something that won’t distract from the person who’s with you.
Often accompanying difficult foods are messy foods. This may also include pastas, soups, and fried foods. Most people lack grace while consuming them, and they may leave you looking like a toddler came to dinner with you.
Carbonation Is Not Going To Be Your Friend
While the occasional soft drink or seltzer mixer may taste good, they also lead to gastrointestinal problems. Initially, you may feel some bloating, which makes you uncomfortable.
Next, carbonation leads to belching. While this may be fun with kids or a night out with the guys, it does not impress in the romantic realm. Stick with water or flat beverages of some kind to keep these risks to a minimum.
Smile Killers
You should have fun while on a date, which means you should wear your smile throughout the evening. The last thing you want is to greet your date with a disgusting green speck in your teeth.
Okay, so it may not be green, but you get the point. Try to avoid foods that will leave anything unexpected in your teeth, which just makes everyone uncomfortable. Whatever ends up in your teeth may distract your date, and they'll have to wrestle with whether to tell you.
The common offenders include leafy greens, chopped herbs, and even black pepper. Consider grilled or cooked vegetables, and pull the herbs as you eat.
Raw Meat & Seafood
Sushi and other raw foods have gained a lot of popularity over the years. However, these may not be the best date night option. These foods pose a significant risk of leading to a foodborne illness.
While oysters may be considered a mood booster, do you want to risk a night on the porcelain throne rather than with your date?
Avoid Any Fermented Foods
Some people love fermented foods, including sauerkraut, pickled anything, kimchi, and fermented tofu. While these again have incredible health benefits, they definitely are not for anyone, and leave you rather ripe. Leave those particular specialties for once the relationship is well-established or a less special occasion.
The Most Expensive Thing on The Menu
Exercising some humility on a date is always a good idea. When you go out for dinner, avoid the temptation of ordering the most expensive item on the menu, even if you normally would enjoy it.
Doing so on a date may come off as pompous to your date, especially if it is a new relationship. Further, you may not know their view of money and spending, which could tank the whole thing before it really gets a chance to start. I’m not saying to only order the side salad, but temper flaunting what you can afford.
Something New That You Aren't Sure How To Eat Properly
If you want to have a nice night out, avoid anything that you haven’t tried already. While trying new things is an adventure and a great way to live, there is a proper time and place.
When you first try something new, your body language may give you away if you don’t like it. If that is the case, then you’re left the rest of the night wishing for a burger or steak, or in desperate times even Taco Bell.
Second, new dishes may have ingredients you haven’t tried, try an unusual preparation method. This very well could leave your date entertaining him or herself while you attend to your internal plumbing issues.
When it comes to date night, remember your goal is enjoying the person giving you their time. Play it conservative with your food options, and leave the culinary adventures for another time.
Don't Obsess Over What "Not To Eat On Date Night"
When planning a romantic date night, it's worth considering foods that can positively impact your evening in unexpected ways.
Certain foods are known to enhance both mood and attraction, making them excellent choices for a special night. Pineapple, for example, is often said to improve your body’s natural scent and taste, making it a sweet choice for dessert. Similarly, strawberries are not only delicious but are rich in antioxidants that promote healthy blood flow, which can increase energy and a sense of well-being.
Foods like dark chocolate are also known to release endorphins, the "feel-good" chemicals in the brain, creating a relaxed and happy vibe. For an added boost, consider incorporating a small amount of spicy food, like chili peppers, which contain capsaicin to enhance circulation and even trigger the release of pleasure-inducing hormones. Choosing the right foods can help set the mood for a night full of connection and good energy.
Additional Date Night Dinner Planning Tips!
Your date night dinner is more than just another meal, as a man it is your chance to show how well you listen to your partner's likes and dislikes when it comes to food. It's also your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to plan and execute a complex task with class and precision. Just like men love women who can cook ... the same is true for women as well.
Choosing the wrong foods for your date night can turn what should be a romantic evening into a comedy of errors - just not the kind you’ll be laughing about later. Imagine this: you order a plate of spicy buffalo wings, extra garlic bread, and wash it down with a few carbonated cocktails. Fast forward a few hours, and instead of a cozy, intimate moment, you're fumbling with indigestion, trying not to burp mid-sentence, or worse, hoping you can hold back that bloated feeling.
Let’s not forget about alcoholic drinks either. Sure, a glass of wine or two can set the mood, but too much and you'll be navigating the romantic equivalent of trying to parallel park in the dark with a blindfold on. Let’s just say, excessive drinks can make things far more complicated than you’d hoped. So, when it comes to your date night menu, think light and sexy, not heavy and awkward!
Here's some more tips to help with your date night dinner ...
- Plan Ahead and Do Your Research: Look up the restaurant's menu online beforehand to make sure there are options that suit both your and your date's preferences.
- Consider Sharing Dishes: Opt for appetizers or shareable plates that encourage interaction and conversation.
- Pay Attention to Your Date’s Cues: If they avoid certain foods or drinks, take note and be considerate in your choices as well.
- Stay Hydrated with Water: This helps to minimize the effects of any food odors and keeps you feeling refreshed.
- End on a Sweet Note: Choose a light, easy-to-eat dessert like sorbet or a shared treat that won’t leave you feeling overly full.
By keeping these tips in mind, you'll be able to focus more on enjoying each other's company and less on potential dining pitfalls. Here's to a date night that's memorable for all the right reasons!
