That Romantic Dinner's Not Necessarily Good For You

Do dating and good nutrition go together? Perhaps not, according to a recent study by Cornell University's psychology department.

The study, ``Dating and Eating: Beliefs and Dating Foods Among University Students,'' was not intended to measure health or nutrition factors, but to clarify date food etiquette. But we may glean some insight from it as we weigh menu choices.

The study, published in the journal Appetite, surveyed 301 Cornell undergraduate students who were asked which type of foods or meals they considered most and least desirable in dating situations.

Confirming the researchers' hypothesis, salad and vegetables rated highest among women as dating foods. Surprising was that a greater percentage of men chose pasta over meat as a dating food. The most frequently consumed beverage was alcohol, and sushi was the most commonly eaten ethnic food.

Knowing the characteristics of desirable dating foods can help a budding relationship -- and here again was a gender difference. The most important factor for women is that a food not be messy (so, no pasta for them), while for men it was that a food be romantic/aphrodisiac. Other top reasons to avoid certain entrees, cited by the students: if they are cheap, cause bad breath, are unattractive to eat (think corn on the cob) or uncomfortable. I think this last one means they cause gas.

Unfortunately, many foods that contribute to good health and vitality might be lumped under ``non-dating'' foods. Garlic and onions, for example, are both members of the allium family, and have antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. If worried about your breath, eat the parsley garnish on your plate. Besides being loaded with antioxidants, the chlorophyll in the leaves neutralizes bad breath.

Cooked spinach is loaded with vitamins A, K, iron and potassium, but might be skipped in a first date because researchers noted an aversion to ``foods that drip, drop, stick or leave residues that repulse partners.'' My suggestion here is, spinach salad has the same nutrition without the tooth-hugging component.

And foods that may be thought of as gassy such as cabbage, broccoli and beans, are also among the healthiest. You can build up a tolerance by eating them at least a few times a week, or try some Beano.

There are healthy alternatives for many ``nondate'' foods. Send me your food questions and I'll answer in a future column.

Sheah Rarback is a registered dietitian and on the faculty of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Her column runs every other week.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source MiamiHerald.com

Copyright 2009