NEW YORK — Two thirds of adults allow food to be eaten in bed – but soup, pasta and a stir fry are off limits. A study of 2,000 Americans found 47 percent have eaten snacks or meals in their own bed, with 85 percent planning or hoping for breakfast in bed this Valentine’s Day. But 34 percent simply do not allow food to be consumed while under the covers, especially potentially messier foods like tacos, curry and ramen.
Despite differing opinions, those polled agreed fruit, chocolate and ice cream are acceptable to eat in bed. If any meal should be eaten under the duvet, it’s breakfast, according to 52 percent. The likes of yogurt, toast and croissants appeared on the “allowed” list of foods.
Commissioned by bakery brand St Pierre and conducted by OnePoll, the study finds 52 percent admitted they can’t fully enjoy eating in bed because they’re too worried about the mess. And while 26 percent believe it’s lazy, 44 percent argue that food in bed is romantic.
“There is clearly a divide when it comes to the idea of eating in bed,” says St. Pierre’s spokesperson, in a statement. “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 finds it took smitten Americans an average of seven weeks together before taking their meals to the bedroom.
Free pass for eating in bed on Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, 69 percent plan to make breakfast in bed for a loved one, while 16 percent hope to be the recipient of it. However, 72 percent have had to get rid of bedding as a result of food related spillages and 49 percent have asked someone else to get out of their bed because they made crumbs. Therefore, many rely on the likes of a napkin (70%), tray (63%) or towel (52%) to avoid mishaps.
Other situations in which people are most likely to eat in bed are when watching TV (66%), generally on weekends (54%) or if on a date (52%).
Almost half of those polled opted for lounging under the duvet if eating (47%), while 46 percent prefer to sit on top of it. And 74 percent admitted they’re more laid back about eating in bed if it’s someone else’s rather than their own.
“Sharing food with a loved one is the perfect way to show you care, but our research suggests that such gestures can backfire, with 83 percent of Americans having been asked to get out of bed for making a food or drink faux pas!,” adds the spokesperson.