Good Food or Good Sex? The United Kingdom Decides This Valentine’s Day

• Avocados help to boost energy, blood flow and mood, making them a perfect romantic ally.
• 1 in 5 Europeans prefer sharing good food to enjoying good sex
• In the UK: 23% of females prefer good food while 20% of men prefer good sex

Photo: Shutterstock

Spice in the kitchen or the bedroom?

This Valentine’s Day, love may be in the air, but it’s also on the plate. According to a 2024 survey commissioned by the World Avocado Organisation, Europeans are choosing good food over good sex. While 1 in 5 respondents revealed they prefer sharing good food with a significant other, only 13% said they’d rather enjoy good sex. 

Only 8% of women across Europe prefer good sex to good food, with 21% favouring a satisfying meal. On the other hand, men are more evenly split, with 18% preferring intimacy and 17% choosing food. As Europeans age, their preference for good food grows stronger. Among Gen Z, 20% prioritise good sex—the highest of any generation—but even they favour good food slightly more (21%). This preference for food continues to rise with older age groups, with less than 10% of Boomers and older age groups choosing intimacy over a delicious meal. Interestingly, Boomers are also the generation that places the most importance on healthy eating, with around 80% considering this to be either important or extremely important, compared to just 65% of Gen Zers and a respectable 75% of millennials. 

Insights into the United Kingdom’s Valentine's Preferences

This survey uncovered some fascinating insights into the United Kingdom’s relationship with food and romance. 

In the UK, 1 in 5 people prefer a hot dinner over a hot date! But things get juicier when you break down men’s and women’s preferences with both sexes having completely different appetites. 

The ladies prefer spicy on their plate over spicy in the bedroom, with 23% choosing a tasty dish over a romantic romp. However, there are still 10% of women choosing good sex. 

But men, are on a different page of the menu with 20% choosing sex over food. While only, 14% of men would swap the bedroom for the dinner table. 

How to Elevate Plates (and Heart Rates) this Valentine’s Day 

What makes food such a strong contender for romance? The answer may lie in the aphrodisiac qualities of ingredients like avocados. Known as a “fertility fruit” by the Aztecs, avocados were once prized as a symbol of love and passion—and science backs up their allure:

• Getting Blood Pumping: The monounsaturated fats in avocados can support healthy blood flow, and cardiovascular health as well as an extra boost of energy.
• Energy for Love: Packed with potassium, B vitamins and vitamin C, they can provide stamina and combat fatigue, whether in the kitchen or elsewhere.
• Mood Enhancer: Avocados are rich in magnesium, which can help reduce stress and regulate the nervous system—perfect for a romantic evening.

Avo-Licious Recipes for Valentine’s Day 

To inspire Europeans to get creative in the kitchen for their date, the World Avocado Organisation has compiled a selection of romantic recipes perfect for sharing:

Antipasti platter to pick on over a nice bottle of wine

Chicken and black bean quesadillas

Avocado brownies to bring a sweet touch to the evening.