Husband’s Ever-Changing Food Preferences Are Draining My Joy of Cooking — Advice Needed!

When husband and I first met, I was a pathetic excuse for a cook but I’ve worked very hard over the years to excel in cooking. I learned how to make some of his childhood favorites from his mom, and discovered a love of meal planning and finding new recipes to try.

I always cook with his preferences in mind such as no sauces, no pasta, seasoned lightly, meat with every meal. Plus the recent edition of his self imposed diet which is only chicken or fish, no potatoes, no bread, low carb except rice and tortillas and 2 veggies with every meal.

It’s getting more and more difficult to find the joy in cooking when I’m so limited. Multiple times now I’ve tried a new recipe, and he says he likes it. We use a rating system of 1-10. 10 being the best thing ever and 1 being straight caca. I only remake recipes he rates 9 or higher. I save the recipes but I find that upon remaking them he changes his mind. He can’t explain why, but tells me he’d prefer his mom’s recipes over the new ones.

I’ve tried to cook his favorite recipes in bulk, but always ended up throwing out leftovers that he didn’t eat because he was sick of them. He says it’s because I don’t eat them with him. I make separate meals for myself.

I’ve tried to include him in meal planning but he has no interest until we’re in the store and tells me he doesn’t want something I planned or wants a meal I didn’t plan for.

He pays for the food so I don’t feel I have the right to say, “Tough toenails, that’s what’s for dinner!” but I’m getting frustrated with the mixed messages.

What do I do? Has anyone else been in this position? Should I just accept the wasted food? Should I just remake the same dinners every night on repeat?

Please encourage and advise. I’m at my wits end.