I used to share a fridge…I did have stuff go missing-the number one priority at first is to watch your shit carefully (count it,measure it,weigh it,whatever) and know exactly what you have left.
If you’re going to bring it up,you want to be 100% sure food is missing.
At first,I thought I was paranoid,but then I started paying attention (i.e. weighing my OJ carton,marking the level on my milk bottle with a marker pen) once I was sure,I brought it up and explained I don’t people using some food if they are hungry and they ask or let me know and don’t take the piss,but if it goes missing and people try to bullshit me,I will be upset.
It happened a couple more times,and I went ballistic. (I found good time to bring this up is when you are preparing a meal/sandwich and have a 10 inch chef’s knife in your hand.People really pay attention,especially if you make a few jerky movements while using it as a pointer)
No food went missing after that.
You need to establish early on that this shit isn’t gonna fly,if you give them an inch,they’ll take a mile.
It’ll start with a slice of cheese,then it’ll be a chicken breast here,a tomato there,a couple of eggs there,a glass of OJ…etc
They’ll think you’re either not sharp enough to notice or a pushover who won’t say anything.
A tactic I know someone used to use was to invest in a couple of bottles of green food colouring-a splash in your milk,a splash in your meat,a little in your yoghurt,a rub on your cheese,puts off curious roomies.
Apple or grape juice always lasts well in a large glass vial with a label marked ‘urine sample for analysis-do not drink’ making up a mild medical condition to go along with this is good so as not to arouse suspicion.
(Or tell them you believe in drinking your own urine!)
Another good tactic is to find out what foods they hate or are allergic to.
where possible,mix or store them together!
Have a roomie who will eat your chicken but hates onions? make up some chicken chilli,or just store sliced onions with them in a tupperware box!
He hates anchovies? make a salad and mix them in and store!