Menu
MattressFirm Logo
Bed Basics
Bed Basics

3 Reasons You Shouldn't Eat in Bed

reasons you should not eat in bed
JCzerniawski

Ever snacked from the comfort of your comforter? Eating in bed may seem convenient in the moment, especially during those cold winter nights, but think twice the next time you consider bringing snacks into your sleep sanctuary — it could be damaging your sleep health.

While the occasional breakfast-in-bed can be fun, treating your bed as your permanent dining room is a harmful habit to pick up long term. The Mattress Firm Daily Dozers have three reasons to refrain from snacking in your sleep space:

Sleep Health

The sleep science doesn't lie. Developing a habit of eating in bed can impact the quality of your sleep. Doing other tasks in bed, such as eating and watching TV, can trick your mind into associating your bed with tasks other than sleeping. Encouraging this bed behavior can be disruptive to your sleep routine and leave you running at a significant sleep deficit.

Mattress Maintenance

For the chronic bed-eater, keeping a clean mattress is no easy task. If you're eating meals on your mattress, consider every part of your bed set as a potential breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

Experts say the average sleeper should be changing their sheets every 1-2 weeks — an activity that will no doubt need to be increased if bed-eating is your thing. Bottom line? Snacking in bed means a major increase in mattress maintenance and possibly quicker mattress replacement.

Unwanted Guests

Still unconvinced? Move over and make room in your bed for guests of a different variety. From ants to roaches, eating in bed leaves your sacred sleep zone open to hungry pests (and their friends!). The smallest of spills may leave your bedroom open for business for bugs. Even for the most careful eater, it's tough to eat in bed without leaving something behind, only for unwanted guests to enjoy it later!

You are where you eat (and where you sleep) — unless you have an injury or sickness, you should try and keep the eating in bed to a minimum. Make a rest-olution and prioritize your sleep needs this year. Head to a Mattress Firm location in your area to kick off the New Year right — by stepping up your sleep routine and your sleep comfort!

You Might Also Like

Woman is using eye mask in bed while electric fan is blowing on the foreground
Bed Basics
Best Cooling Mattresses for Hot Sleepers in 2025If you struggle to stay cool at night, you’re not alone. At least 57% of adults in the U.S. report feeling too hot while sleeping on occasion.
A bed with a duvet, two pillows and a blue headboard in a white bedroom.
Bed Basics
How Long Does a Mattress Last? Think about how many years you have slept on your current mattress. How long has it been since you upgraded? If you’re struggling to find an answer, that may mean it has been too long. Even if your mattress looks like it’s holding up well, it may be time to start searching for your next bed.
side sleeper uses a pillow for more lumbar support
Bed Basics
What Is Lumbar Support and Why Do I Need It?Back pain affects a lot of people. In fact, it’s estimated that 8 out of every 10 Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Luckily, our sleep experts are weighing in on ways to ease the discomfort.
An illustration of two purple pillows in the clouds. Text reads: Sleep Week Expert Sleep Tips
Bed Basics
Our Sleep Experts' 7 Top Tips for Good SleepNobody gets great sleep every night. But if you want the best sleep you can get, Sleep Experts® at Mattress Firm are here to help. With 200+ hours of training, they know better than most how to set yourself up for those eight hours of quality zzz’s to help you feel your best.
the best mattresses under 500.jpg
Bed Basics
The Best Mattresses Under $500There's no better feeling than jumping into a nice clean bed at the end of a long day. Especially when your bed is the best part of your bedroom. But if your mattress is lacking in the comfort department, or worse yet, it's giving you more aches and pains than nighttime Zzz's, then it might be time to consider an upgrade.
how-much-should-i-spend-on-a-mattress-1440x1000.png
Bed Basics
How Much Should I Spend on a Mattress?Investing in a good mattress is important for your sleep quality, comfort and general well-being. However, purchasing a new mattress can feel like a big financial decision. You want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your money with a model that balances comfort, quality and budget.
how to fold a fitted sheet
Bed Basics
How do you fold a fitted sheet?We’re answering the age-old question: how do you fold a fitted sheet?
A picture of an unmade bed with white sheets
Bed Basics
How to Choose the Right Type of Sheets for Your BedWe put a lot of time, thought and energy into figuring out our wardrobes. We look for pieces that are comfortable or perhaps sweat-wicking, and that look good.
Astronaut floating in space
Bed Basics
How to Achieve Zero-Gravity Sleep Like Astronauts: Try an Adjustable BedOn the list of things we can’t live without, sleep earns one of the top spots, perhaps just behind oxygen. It’s essential, of course, but good sleep is essential for feeling our best. Sleep is a main component in how energized (or lethargic) we feel. It plays a role in our decision-making, our mood and our overall cognitive abilities. Regardless of whether you’re an engineer, a landscaper, a CEO or a student, sleep is part of a larger equation of how well we can perform our daily tasks.