A Guide to Smarter Snacking

What makes you eat between meals?

56% of people said boredom! (62% of females snack due to boredom as opposed to only 50% of men). League table of reasons to eat between meals:

1. Hunger (71%)
2. Boredom (56%)
3. Temptation (49%)
4. Force of habit (26%)
5. Lack of concentration (14%)

Do you think snacking can boost your health and fitness and help aid
weight loss?

• Interestingly, 57% of people said no (more men did than women – 68% Vs 46%).
• 25 – 34 year olds – 57% said yes (highest of all age-groups).
• Regionally – London had the highest ‘yes rate’ – 52% think snacking can help.

How much thought do you give to the type of foods you snack on between meals?

• 67% said ‘a little’ – they assess what’s available and then decide if they want to eat it.
• 23% said they just eat what’s available regardless of what it is!
• Under 25’s have the least regard for what they snack on – 27% will have whatever’s going.
• People from Sheffield are best at pre-preparing snacks and taking them to work with them – 16% do it.
• 15% of office workers do this too (highest percentage of all workers).

What do you find yourself snacking on most often?

• Top answer was chocolate bars – 34%.
• Top answer for men was choc (36%), women it’s choc and fruit (both 32%).
• Under 25’s eat the most choc (47%). Over 55’s eat the most fruit (39%).
• Glaswegians snack the most on choc (44%). People from Norwich eat the most fruit (40%).

Do you ever snack when you are alone?

• 96% of Brits are secret snackers! Women are most guilty (97%).
• Regionally, Geordies and Bristolians are the worst – 98% snack
  in secret.

Which of the following prevents you from snacking between meals?

• Number one answer – weight worries! (43%).
• League table of reasons to not snack between meals:
  1. Worried about putting on weight (43%).
  2. Too busy (33%).
  3. Don’t want to spoil appetite ahead of next meal (36%).
• Worse for the women – just short of half (46%) don’t snack for fear of piling on the pounds (this compared to 40% of blokes).
• Under 25’s most worried about putting on weight through snacking (48%).
• Geordies the most weight conscious – 51% worried about putting on weight from snacking. Glaswegians are carefree when it comes to between-meal treats – 44% say nothing will stop them snacking!

When your tummy rumbles do you tend to push on through to your next main meal or have a snack to tide you over?

• Women are more likely than men to grab a snack when hunger strikes. Nearly three quarters of women reach for a snack (73%) compared to just over half of men (59%).
• People from Portsmouth are least likely to reach for a snack despite hunger taking hold (44% claim to push on through till meal time despite suffering from tummy rumbles).
• UK’s best snackers can be found in Sheffield and Birmingham - 76% of residents grab a snack to stave off hunger pains.
• Homemakers are the most likely snackers. When hunger hits 77% reach for a snack rather than holding out until their next meal.
• Manual workers listen to their bodies – over two thirds of them (68%) reach for a snack when hunger hits. Retail workers are the worst snackers (59%).
• Non-sporty people are more likely to snack when their tummies rumble compared to those who do regular exercise (68% to 64%).

Do you ever feel guilty after eating
a between-meal snack?

• Half of Brits admit to feeling guilt after eating a between meal snack.
• Women have guiltier consciences than men - 61% Vs 38%.
• Those who are married feel guiltier about snacking (52%) than singletons (44%).
• Geordies are the most likely people in the UK to feel guilt as a result of between-meal snacking (59%).

Do you find you over-eat later on if you don’t eat during the early part of the day?

• 54% of Brits claim they are more likely to overeat later on if they don’t eat in the early part of the day.
• Two thirds of under 25’s are more likely to over indulge later on if they don’t eat earlier in the day.

Do you think that eating a snack before you exercise helps enhance your
physical performance?

• Only a third of Brits think snacking before exercise helps enhance their physical performance
• Under 25’s are more clued up on the benefits of snacking. 48% think snacking before exercise enhances their physical performance
• Londoners are most likely to benefit from pre–exercise snacks. 41% claim it improves their physical performance
• 41% of those who regularly exercise believe pre–exercise snacking enhances their performance compared to just 27% of people who don’t exercise regularly

Are you confused about whether snacking is good or bad for you?

• Two in five Brits have no idea as to whether snacking is good or bad
  for them.
• Sporty people are more clued about snacking than none sporty people. Nearly two thirds of those who regularly exercise claim they’re not confused about whether snacking is good or bad.
• Birmingham is the most clued up city. Only 27% of Brummies claim to be confused about snacking.
• Students are the most confused about snacking. Nearly half (49%) think it’s bad for them.
• Those in retail are the least confused. 70% think it’s good for them.