Chinese takeout on Thursdays, pizza on Fridays, warm doughnuts every Saturday morning -- relationships can be highly conducive to food-centric rituals, many of which include the most fattening of cuisines. 

So what happens when one of you wants to drop the Sunday night ice cream run and start eating better?

Though challenging in any circumstances, changing your diet gets especially tricky with your loved one's cheese puff stash just a cupboard away. And it's hard to hold on to good nutrition while dating someone who counts Jolly Rangers in his greens intake. 

"Our relationships have a huge impact on our eating habits," says Cynthia Sass, dietitian and coauthor of "Your Diet Is Driving Me Crazy." And since eating habits have a huge impact on our health and mood, it's well worth reconciling mealtime mismatches.

Where to start? Eating habits are deeply ingrained and often unconscious, explains Alice Domar, Ph.D., author of "Be Happy Without Being Perfect." So shaking up the kitchen status quo requires multiple strategies -- along with plenty of patience, tact, and perseverance. Read on for our experts' take on tackling food conflicts.

Talking it Out
Bringing concerns out into the open is crucial, but don't be surprised if your partner seems taken aback; a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that some people don't even realize when they're thwarting their significant others' efforts to eat healthier. 

Since people are sensitive about their personal habits, broach the subject gently. "A lot of interesting dynamics get carried out with food," cautions Karen Koenig, author of "The Rules of 'Normal' Eating." "Like money, it can be a huge power issue."

To ease into the topic, explain why you want to eat better, whether it's to pave the way for long-term health, improve energy levels, attain a healthy weight, or all of the above. "Clarifying your motives can help your mate feel less threatened," says Domar.

Once you've given your partner a chance to respond -- and to express whether he wants to jump on the bandwagon -- ask for support. "Be very clear about what 'support' means to you," Sass urges. Gently ask your partner to stop ordering pizza every Friday night, making bacon and eggs every Sunday morning, or giving you chocolates at every birthday and anniversary, for instance. As you move forward, make an effort to be consistent, advises Koenig: "If your husband tells you he wants to support you but then continues to push his cake in your direction, speak up."