Are You Looking for Ways to Sweeten Up Your Sex Life?

Two of life's greatest pleasures are having sex and eating food. So, it only makes sense that these two should go together like peanut butter and jelly, right? Well, maybe.

For some, this may seem like an avenue to spice things up in the bedroom, but for others, it might feel slightly intimidating. Whether you're starting to toy with the idea or you've been experimenting for a while, we've got some tips and tricks for combining snack time with sexy time.

Where and where not?

Samantha Heuwagen, M.A., LMFT, ACS, believes food can provide extra spice to your sex life, "if all partners involved give consent to add food play into the toolbox of sexual activities."

And if everyone's into it? Well, keep in mind that no matter how much you want to bask in the afterglow of that delicious sex, if you decide to bring in the treats, you better be prepared to clean the sheets before your head hits the pillow.

"Nothing is worse than getting into a hot moment and finding crumbs or worse after when you're ready for bed," Heuwagen said. "You don't want to make a mess of your sacred bedroom space and invite unwanted bugs or the like."

'If you're placing food on the genitals, make sure you're prepared to wash right after.'

In addition to making sure you're willing to change the bedding afterward, it's also important to be mindful of where on the body the food is going to be placed, as you'll want this to be a safe and enjoyable experience.

"If you're placing food on the genitals, make sure you're prepared to wash right after," Heuwagen said. "Especially avoid sugar in and around the vulva, as it can cause yeast to grow."

She also suggested steering clear of the head of the penis, as well as inserting any food into the vagina. An easy way to keep it steamy after a sticky mess is to let the shower host an after-party.

From fridge to bedroom

To gain a little more insight into what really happens when you bring the buffet to the bedroom, I talked to people who have experienced it firsthand. Fan-favorite foods tended to be sweet—chocolate sauce, whipped cream and fruit. But you might be surprised to find that sushi also made the list.

One way Jack Napier has gotten creative is with popsicles. He suggests using popsicle molds with frozen water—that way you are avoiding artificial flavoring and the potential for stains. The plain frozen popsicle can be safely inserted into the vagina, and also rubbed along the shaft of the penis, providing hot and cold sensations for both partners.

When it comes to fruit, Napier suggests starting in the mouth and ending up on the chest or the stomach, avoiding the genital areas.

Another thing you want to be cautious of is bringing food into the bedroom by accident, as Lincoln Murphy can attest.

Before fooling around with his partner, Murphy ate hot wings and didn't wash his hands well enough, which left a burning sensation in the lady's business. A good rule of thumb is to always be mindful about what you eat before engaging in sexual activity. It's not always easy to do, but consuming pungent or spicy items beforehand might be more of a turnoff than a turnon.

Playing with your food

Interestingly enough, both Murphy and Napier were middle-of-the-road about the experiences. For example, if a partner of theirs wanted to experiment, they wouldn't be against it, but it's not something either of them would enthusiastically suggest.

"You shouldn't need to add food to spice up your sex life," Napier said. "But if you already have a good sex life, this might just be a way to include something new and exciting."

If you choose to use food in the bedroom, start slow and sweet. Consider strategically placing a plate of strawberries next to the bed with a couple of flutes of champagne on the side. Don't be afraid to have some fun with it—use a candy necklace or gummy bears to sugarcoat things with minimal cleanup. It could be mediocre, it could be awkward, but there's always the chance that when you take your comfort food out of your comfort zone, you'll end up asking for seconds.