Yep what Daniel said. Just pop the food in there and they will come out for it and get it with no problems whatsoever.
As for lifting the hide just to check on them, I think most of us do that. Like Judy said if we didn't we would hardly ever see them. I know my older bp is so use to me lifting and checking he doesn't even flinch or look twice, he just keeps on chillin unless he wants to come out and play then he will come over to the side of the tub and crawl out on me.