Smoked mackerel, boiled eggs, curry, and egg sandwiches are among the top food that should never be eaten – when travelling on a train, according to research.
Over half of Brits (55%) who have travelled by rail in the last year have prepared food to take with them, with 45% admitting they always pack a full picnic spread for longer journeys.
The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 53% believe eating is the best way to fill their time on the train – and think chocolate and soft sweets are the best acceptable snacks to munch on during your travels.
But other foods that should be avoided at all costs in a train carriage include blue cheese, a kebab, and crab sticks – while tuna pasta, gherkins in a jar, and a burrito rounded out the top 10.
Nearly nine in ten of those polled (87%) will go out of their way to avoid those with a smelly snack – but 49% feel these are okay to eat if you have free rows of seats both in front and behind you.
It also emerged 36% enjoy a tipple to help them relax into their journey – with 57% believing it’s perfectly acceptable to crack open a “gin in a tin” on a train.
The research was commissioned by Trainline, which is giving out free CBD gummies from a vending machine at Kings Cross Station, to help passengers unwind during their onward travels.
Mike Hyde, chief data officer for the train booking firm, said: “As our research revealed, a tasty snack and a train journey do go hand-in-hand – although some foods really shouldn’t be eaten while on the move, especially when other people are around.
“We know that many passengers choose to snack on a train journey as a way to unwind and relax – which inspired us to launch our limited-edition CBD gummies Choo Chews, providing our customers with the chance to sit back and enjoy their journey.”
The study also found that for occasions such as stag or hen do's, 17% will ensure they always board the train with plenty of food to eat.
Some even admit to bringing along a sushi platter for the trip, and one respondent always packs prosecco and posh picnic bites when heading for Royal Ascot.
And three in ten admit journeys are “boring” if they just have tea and biscuits to snack on.
The research, conducted via OnePoll.com, also explored what passengers do to relax when travelling – with two-thirds turning to music to unwind.
Nearly half (45%) will get lost in a good book, and 29% will watch a film.
TOP 25 FOODS WHICH SHOULD NEVER BE EATEN ON A TRAIN...
- Smoked mackerel
- Boiled eggs
- Curry
- Egg sandwiches
- Blue cheese
- A kebab
- Crab sticks
- Gherkins from a jar
- Tuna pasta
- Burrito
- Prawns
- Tuna sandwiches
- Sushi
- A Pot Noodle
- Pickled Onion Monster Munch
- Fried chicken
- Bananas
- Samosas
- McDonald's/Burger King
- Any leftover meals
- Peanuts
- Pork scratchings
- Hot dog
- Cheese and onion crisps
- Coronation chicken sandwiches
