In the chaos of a busy week, an evening meal is a chance to unwind and catch up with your partner. But these days, eating with your other half is no longer just a case of 'what's for tea?'. It's estimated that nearly 7% of the UK population are using (or have used) GLP-1 drugs like Mounjaro or Ozempic — and this has had an impact on how the nation views dinner time.
GLP-1s and Changing Food Habits
'Typical side effects of GLP-1s may include nausea and reduced enjoyment of eating, which may reshape individuals' relationships with food,' Dr Leila Fathi, Research Fellow at the Centre for Food Policy at City St George's University of London, tells Metro. 'It can create negative associations, prompting couples to prepare and eat meals separately.'
Food allergies are also rising globally, with a 2024 study from Imperial College London finding that new food allergy cases almost doubled in 10 years. An easy midweek spaghetti Bolognese may be delicious for you — but a nightmare for your gluten intolerant partner. And, we simply don't have the time to dedicate to eating. According to 2023 research from the ONS, UK adults spend just of three hours and 44 minutes a day on entertainment, socialising, or other free time activities.
The Rise of the 'Food Divorce'
'There has been a shift in dietary patterns becoming more oriented around ultra-processed, preprepared, meals, snacks and drinks,' Dr Leila adds. 'The food industry is very quick to hop onto trends and currently ultra-processed foods that may be 'high protein' are being marketed. This is taking away occasions for people to cook and eat together.'
The solution? A food divorce, a phenomenon coined by Metro — and taking place in households across the country — which sees couples food shopping, cooking, and eating apart.
It goes against the advice of many relationship counsellors, who have long-stressed the importance of couples breaking bread together. 'Separate plates, separate lives,' writes Christina Fraser, a BACP accredited counsellor, based in London. 'When couples stop eating together regularly, it's often not just due to busy schedules. It can also signal emotional distance, unresolved conflict, or parallel lives.'
Couples Who Swear by It
Ellie Sturdy, 29, lives in Dorset with her husband, Mike. 'When Mike first moved in, we ate the same things,' Ellie tells Metro. 'It was a lot of takeaways, going out for dinners, or cooking pasta at home. But in September 2024, I went on Mounjaro, and suddenly, I just didn't fancy anything. He'd ask what I wanted for dinner, and I'd just say "I don't know, you pick", or "Just get what you want." We'd go to the supermarket, and I'd just walk up and down the aisles, and there was nothing I could see or think of that I wanted to eat.'
Ellie says this became frustrating for both parties. 'There were times when Mike would make dinner, and we'd sit down and I'd have three mouthfuls, and just think "I don't want this", and I'd end up sitting there watching him eat. After a long day, we'd both end up bickering and getting annoyed.' And so, it became easier for them to eat individually. 'There was no discussion. It was a natural progression,' Ellie continues.
Now, Ellie is no longer on Mounjaro, but the pair have continued on with their food divorce. They don't food shop together, and rarely eat together at home. 'Even our wedding breakfast was a buffet, so we didn't actually sit down together!' adds Ellie. And she says a food divorce is something she'd 'recommend to everyone.' She adds: 'I think it's a good thing to do. We don't row, there's no compromising, it's just so much nicer. When we do eat together, if we go out for a meal, or treat ourselves to a takeaway, it feels really special.'
Ellie says she doesn't agree with the idea that a happy couple must share meals. 'We still have plenty of time to catch up throughout the day,' she adds. 'If not eating together has such a detrimental impact on your marriage, I think there's probably other issues going on.'
Another Perspective
It's a sentiment echoed by Amy Carter, 42, who has recently celebrated her 10 year wedding anniversary with her husband, Matt. The London-based couple have eaten separately for as long as they can remember. 'It started because Matt works shifts, and I have a busy social life', Amy tells Metro. 'He'd be working weird hours, or I'd have plans into the evening, and it just made sense to eat separately. That then naturally developed into us also doing individual food shops. I now order Gusto boxes, and I work out what I want for lunches and dinners. I don't factor in Matt's meals.'
Amy adds they have specific items in the fridge that are their own. She says: 'He always buys butter and cheese. If I ever pinch some, he'll comment that I never replace them — which is fair! I recently had the girls over and we drank some of his wine. He's already asked me to buy him some more.'
Amy admits it might seem like a 'weird mentality', saying: 'I do have to point out to him that we're not housemates. I always have Coke Zero in the fridge, and he'll always ask me if he can have one, I suppose it is a bit odd that he asks for permission!'
But ultimately, she says it works for them. She adds: 'Last year, we were celebrating our wedding anniversary at a steak restaurant, and a lady at the next table asked us how long we'd been married. She couldn't believe it when we said 10 years, thinking we were newlyweds. When she asked us what our secret is, the answer was simple: "We hardly see each other!" I think having time apart for couples is so important, and for us, that includes eating apart.'
