Vegetarians may like to claim they lead healthier lives, but it seems there is one area where they are missing out – in the bedroom.

A survey suggests that 42 per cent of those who eat meat at least once a day have sex once a week or more.

But the figure drops to only 16 per cent for vegetarians and those who are defined as 'reluctant carnivores' who eat meat only once a fortnight.

A survey has suggested that those who eat meat everyday are more likely to have sex more than once a week compared to vegetarians

Before you drop your tofu and race to the butchers for something juicy, however, it's worth noting that the survey of 2,000 Britons was conducted by GourmetMeatClub.co.uk, which happens to be an online provider of grass fed, free range, ethically sourced meat.

Broken down by country, the Welsh were the top of the carnal carnivore charts, with 49 per cent who ate meat every day reporting that they had sex one or more times every week.

They were followed by the English on 46 per cent and the Scots on 40 per cent.

The most popular dish to cook to impress a partner before a night of passion was a steak, with 18 per cent saying they would fry rump or sirloin steak for a romantic dinner.

A total of 17 per cent said they would make a roast dinner, with 9 per cent making a spaghetti bolognese and 8 per cent a curry.

The survey was conducted by GourmetMeatClub.co.uk, a provider of ethically sourced meat, and vegetarians have expressed their doubts with one woman saying: ''Vegetarians have as much sex as anyone else, although I must admit it's been a while for me now.'

Perhaps unsurprisingly, vegetarians expressed doubts about the poll. Sandra O'Sullivan, 41, of Hastings, East Sussex, said the research was 'crazy', adding: 'Vegetarians have as much sex as anyone else, although I must admit it's been a while for me now. I'm not tempted to start eating meat – I'll take my chances and stick to tofu.'

Gareth Simpson, 36, of Edinburgh, Scotland, said he started each day with a bacon roll and often had steak for dinner - and romped with his girlfriend at least twice a week.

The kitchen designer said: 'I've always eaten meat - it's a rare day when I don't have a bacon roll.

'Now I know its linked to my sex life I'm not giving it up - in fact, I'm going to eat more.'