Today, we’re diving into the six weird eating habits of narcissists. Food isn’t just food for them, it’s a way to control and dominate. From nitpicking meals to starting fights at the dinner table, narcissists make eating a stressful experience. If you’ve ever felt judged or anxious while eating with one, this is for you. Let’s break down how their need for control shows up in their bizarre food habits!
1. Extreme Picky Eaters
Okay, number one: narcissists, in general, are very, very particular about what they eat. They need to control food. Some narcissists love junk food, while others insist on home-cooked meals, which can be very, very difficult. They do this on purpose. Narcissists who prefer home-cooked meals can be impossible to live with because everything has to be just right. They control what they eat, what everybody else eats, and what the children eat. They don’t want anything processed; it has to be a home-cooked meal, and it’s got to be cooked perfectly. They’ll complain if the food is too hot, too cold, or not cooked right. Narcissists can be impossible at dinner time.
2. Using Food to Start Conflicts
Usually, at dinner time, narcissists love to pick a fight. There’s always a fight at the dinner table. They use food to start arguments because they need to control everything. If something’s off with what they’re eating, they’re going to start a fight about it. I remember dealing with a narcissist who said, “Oh, the food isn’t hot enough.” I kept warming it up, and he still complained, “It’s not hot enough. It’s not hot enough.” They just need to control everything.
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3. Criticizing Others’ Eating Habits
Another thing narcissists do is make you feel uncomfortable when you’re eating. They’ll look at what you’re eating and say, “Oh, you’re eating that? I can’t believe you would eat that,” or, “You shouldn’t be eating that.” They always critique everything when it comes to food, adding their two cents. You’ll see this at restaurants, too. Nobody picks on food more than a narcissist.
They’re the ones sending food back to the kitchen, saying, “This isn’t done right,” or, “This is horrible.” They’re complete nitpickers when it comes to food, always complaining about how it’s cooked or what they’re eating. They can make someone’s life miserable, like the “Karens” at restaurants who drive waiters and waitresses crazy because they need to control what they’re eating.
4. Sabotaging Meals and Guilt-Tripping
Narcissists will make you feel uncomfortable for eating. Sometimes, when you’re eating, they’ll say, “Oh, you’re eating again?” or criticize you every time you eat. When you’re supposed to eat with them, they might say, “Oh, I’m not hungry,” to make you feel guilty for eating. They do this on purpose to ruin your meal because, again, it’s all about control.
Additionally, narcissists who are broke, let’s call them the “broke, busted narcissist,” never like to go out to eat because they don’t want to spend money. Instead, they love to cook in your kitchen, but they’ll leave a mess. Some narcissists do like to cook, but they want praise, saying, “You’re the best cook that ever was.” They expect you to clean up after them.
5. Late-Night Snacking and Disrupting Others
Another habit is that narcissists love to snack, especially late at night. You might be going to bed, and they’ll say, “No, I’ll be up.” They’ll be in the kitchen all night, making noise, opening the refrigerator, and clanging pots and pans. They do this on purpose to ruin your night or wake you up, especially if they know you have a meeting the next day. They snack all day long and then ruin dinner because they’re not hungry anymore. They eat whenever they want and don’t care.
6. Distraction and Entitlement at the Table
Narcissists often bring their phones to the dinner table, focusing more on their screens than enjoying the meal. They’re hyper-focused on their phones, checking on their “other supply.” They’ll turn their phones upside down to hide what they’re doing. Another habit is rushing through dinner and leaving the table quickly. They don’t want to spend time with everyone because they have a secret life. They might eat fast, say, “I’m not hungry,” and retreat to their room to text or call someone else. They’re never fully present; their head is always somewhere else.
Additional Observations: Hoarding and Lack of Cleanup
Narcissists often hoard food, hiding snacks, cereal boxes, or other items in the refrigerator or their room because they don’t want to share. They’re very selfish and gluttonous, ensuring they get whatever’s bought at the store.
They rarely share their food. Another key trait is their refusal to clean up after themselves. They’ll leave their plates on the table, expecting you to clean up because they feel entitled. Even if they cook, they leave a mess and expect you to handle it.
Sabotaging Your Health Goals
One more weird habit is that narcissists love to sabotage you when you’re trying to lose weight. If you’re on a diet, they might buy cakes, cookies, or greasy foods like fried chicken, saying, “Oh, don’t worry about it. You’ll work it off.” They do this deliberately to make you gain weight because they’re insecure and don’t want you to look good or feel independent. They’ll bring home donuts or cookies, saying, “Just have one. It won’t hurt you,” to break your self-care efforts.
The Nightmare of Eating with a Narcissist
In summary, narcissists are a nightmare when it comes to food. They’re particular, nitpicking about how food is cooked, seasoned, or prepared. They criticize what you eat, control what everyone eats, and make you feel uncomfortable at the dinner table.
They hoard food, leave messes, and are never fully present during meals. Eating with a narcissist is stressful because they’re always anxious, judgmental, or distracted by their secret lives. You can’t wait for dinner to be over because it’s never relaxing.
