Not all foodies were created equal: From pickers to grazers to round-the-clock munchers, we’ve figured out the 10 different types of eaters. Have fun recognising which ones your friends and family members are, and also which type you yourself are…
Text: Deirdre Fogarty, The Australian Women’s Weekly/Bauer / Additional Reporting: Sean Tan
Mash potatoes must be kept separate from peas, any sauce is served on the side and vegies are eaten first – always. Think Meg Ryan’s character in When Harry Met Sally: Everything on your plate has a time, a place and a reason for being there.
Pretty much the worst person to dine out with, the Fast Eater has finished most of their meal before you’ve even picked up your fork. Bonus points if it seems like they didn’t even chew.
They’re totally full, they couldn’t possibly eat another bite, no no really, they’re done, thank you. Oh wait, dessert? We’ll just have a look at the menu!
Just like their loveable canine counterparts, the Labrador really doesn’t know when to quit when it comes to eating. It all just tastes so good! Fast forward to 20 minutes later and they’re having to unbutton their jeans and complaining about eating those last few French fries. Every. Single. Time.
Every group of friends has one: The Vulture finishes their own food (it’s common to get a Fast Eater / Vulture combo), then confidently does around the table polishing off everyone else’s leftovers, too. Definitely saves time when it comes to the clean-up, though.
You never see this type of eater without some food item in their hand; veggie sticks, a packet of potato chips, a bar of chocolate, a packet of cut fruits… The Constant Grazer will pick and nibble all day – and still find room for dinner.
Meat pie? Covered in ketchup. Fillet steak? Drenched in pepper sauce. Spag Bol? Can’t see the pasta because it’s drowned in Bolognese. As far as the Saucer is concerned, it’s not a meal if it’s not swimming in something. Don’t let this person near your hot chips with tomato sauce, by the way, unless you want them ruined.
Camera eats first! You’re not allowed to touch anything on your plate until the Instagrammer has primped, prodded and eventually snapped everyone’s plates in a perfectly positioned vignette. Then, while you tuck in, they spend 10 minutes choosing the most flattering filter. The good thing about them is you can always rely on the Instagrammer to get a decent picture of the meal gathering.
From the minute the Meal Planner’s eyes open in the morning to the moment they close at night, it’s all about the food. Each day is mapped out by meals and snack times, all munching is varied and tomorrow’s breakfast is normally sorted before today’s dinner has been eaten.
You can almost see the Live-To-Eater’s eyes light up as soon as you start talking about the drop-dead gorgeous dinner you whipped up last night, and you’re ready for the thousand questions about herbs, sauces and flavours that’s guaranteed to come your way. If you ever need to know anything about food, he or she is the one; these foodies are all about the food.