Do you allow food in bed?

By Alice Hughes, 72Point via SWNS

More than half of adults ban food in bed – but 46 percent think it’s perfectly acceptable, according to a study.

Research among 2,000 Brits found 48 percent have eaten snacks or meals in their own bed and 13 percent have done so in a hotel, with toast, biscuits and chocolate permitted in the bedroom.

But curry, a roast dinner and lasagne are the top foods firmly off limits, as well as fish and chips, soup and burgers.

If any meal is acceptable in bed it’s breakfast, according to 58 percent, and the likes of croissants, cereal and yogurt appeared on the allowed list of foods.

Similarly, tea (67 percent) and coffee (61 percent) are justified.

This Valentine’s Day, 23 percent plan to make breakfast in bed for a loved one, while 13 percent hope to be the recipient of it.

The research was commissioned by bakery brand St Pierre and found 19 percent agreed the idea of eating under the duvet is nice - but not the reality.

And while three in 10 believe the concept is lazy, 29 percent admitted they can’t enjoy the experience because they’re too worried about the mess.

St Pierre’s spokesperson said: “There is clearly a divide when it comes to the idea of eating in bed.

“While some will allow a greasy takeaway box or messy sauce covered meal in the boudoir, others understandably draw the line at anything other than breakfast.

“Having the first meal of the day in bed, especially with a partner, has for a long time been seen as a romantic gesture and many of us plan to start Valentine’s Day this year doing just that.”

The study also found 31 percent believe eating in bed is cosy, particularly in the winter months (31 percent) and 14 percent find it romantic.

But it took smitten Brits an average of five weeks together before taking their meals to the bedroom.

A quarter (24 percent) have had to get rid of bedding due to food related spillages and 23 percent have asked someone else to get out of their bed because they made crumbs.

As a result, many rely on trays (55 percent), napkins (36 percent) or towels (24 percent) to avoid mishaps.

Other situations in which people are most likely to eat in bed are when they’re ill (58 percent), watching TV (42 percent) or generally on weekends (40 percent).

More than half of those surveyed via OnePoll opt for lounging under the duvet if eating (54 percent), while 36 percent prefer to sit on top of it.

And 44 percent admitted they’re more laid back about eating in bed if it’s someone else’s rather than their own.

St Pierre’s spokesperson added: “Sharing food with a loved one is the perfect way to show you care, but the research suggests that such gestures can backfire, with 32 percent having been asked to get out of bed for making a food or drink faux pas.

“That’s why we’re offering NAPkins to diners, to keep the love alive and prevent any cross words over croissants this Valentine’s Day.”

“While breakfast is the most popular meal to be enjoyed from the comfort of our mattresses, one in four have no preference on which meal they enjoy in bed.

“Whether it’s burgers in bed or croissants under the covers, this Valentine’s, we’re hoping to make bedtime meals a little more magnifique.”

TOP 10 FOODS BRITS ALLOW TO BE EATEN IN BED:

1. Toast
2. Biscuits
3. Chocolate
4. Fruit
5. Cereal/porridge
6. Sandwich
7. Cake
8. Croissant/pastries
9. Yoghurt
10. Ice cream

TOP 10 FOODS BRITS BAN FROM BEING EATEN IN BED:

1. Curry
2. Roast dinner
3. Lasagne
4. Chinese e.g. chow mein
5. Pasta and sauce
6. Fish and chips
7. Stir fry
8. Soup
9. Sausage and mash
10. Fajitas