No Mutants Allowed

Pretend.

yeah i felt like that was the right thing to do, but it still felt off to lie

Everyone lies all the time. Especially to make a good first impression. Don't tell your date she looks a little fat in her dress even if it is true.

Very contextual. Based off the little info I have, I'd rather just not say anything unless asked. If asked, I'd say I don't like X ingredients anyway or something if that were true. I'm not eating pineapple for anyone though.

I was directly asked if it was good or not

That's tough buddy.

Pretend untill pretending means you're gonna have to endure it on a regular basis. Then admit it all, to hate the food, to have been pretending, all of it, rip your shirt open, bare your chest, and beg for forgiveness. Then also apologize to your gf. Maybe start packing. Idunno where I'm going with all this

I wait until I know someone to tell them the truth.

Wait till you're both old. Then it's just an endearing little factoid.

Why did you ever put yourself through something as awkward as going to someone else's family dinner?
Oh sorry, thinking out load again.

"I appreciate the meal ma'am but I must say I would not be in a hurry to eat it again." Very simple you bunch of cowards.

Sure if you like risking ruining the relationship. If you don't want to risk anything lie. Nothing cowardly about that. It's about manipulation not fear.

Is it worth being in a relationship where you have to lie to maintain the peace? I think not, but of course I don't have much experience with that stuff.