Nearly half of Brits think it's okay to eat food in bed, like toast and biscuits

09 February 2023 , 14:23

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Three in five think breakfast is the most acceptable meal to enjoy in bed (Image: Jamie Grill/Tetra Images/Getty Images)

Are you a fine diner – or happier to eat in front of the telly? This fun foodie quiz will reveal your dining style, from gastronome to a ready-meal fan.

Whether you request breakfast in bed every weekend – but only if it’s “Instagrammable” – or are easily impressed with a takeaway on the sofa, there’s a dining persona for you.

The tool comes after a poll of 2,000 adults found more than half ban food in bed – but 46% think it’s perfectly acceptable.

Despite differing opinions, 48% have eaten snacks or meals on their own mattress, while 13% have done so in a hotel – tucking into toast, biscuits, and chocolate 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.

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The research was commissioned by bakery brand, St Pierre, and found that one in five (19%) agreed the idea of eating under the duvet is nice – but not the logistics.

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

If any meal is acceptable in bed, it’s breakfast, according to 58% – and the likes of croissants, cereal, and yoghurt appeared on the “allowed” list of foods.

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

St Pierre’s spokesman 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% believe eating in bed is cosy, particularly in the winter months (31%) – and 14% find it romantic.

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

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

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However, 24% have had to get rid of bedding due to food-related spillages, and 23% have asked someone else to get out of their bed because they made crumbs.

Nearly half of Brits think it's okay to eat food in bed, like toast and biscuits

Toast, biscuits, and chocolate are the most acceptable foods to eat in bed (St Pierre)

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

And 44% of those surveyed, via OnePoll, admitted they’re more laid back about eating in bed if it’s someone else’s rather than their own.

St Pierre’s spokesman 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% 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.”

To be in with a chance to win, complete the quiz here.

TOP 10 FOODS BRITS ALLOW TO BE EATEN IN BED: