04 January 2024 , 00:01
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Britain's top dish hasn't lost any popularity points over the years as it appears more women would choose it over sex.
A Sunday roast came out on top of a list of foods Brits were most afraid of missing out on. A survey by Slimming World quizzed 2,000 participants about 'FOMO' when it comes to their favourite dishes and snacks, and which ones prove the greatest obstacle when it comes to those trying to shed pounds.
More than three-quarters (77%) of women surveyed by the weight loss company asked said they get pleasure from eating their favourite food, while almost two-thirds (64%) said they felt passionate about the food they eat.
But most interesting of all was the rate of respondents who said they feared going without sex compared with their top foods. Slimming World found only 21% were afraid of missing out on fun in bed, while 35% said they couldn't go without a Sunday roast.
Other foods chosen over sex included chocolate, for which 29% didn't want to miss out and takeaways (24%) while Britain's other most famous dish, fish and chips, came at a close tie. Fry ups however were just pipped to the post by sex, at only 18%.
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Dr Amanda Avery, health and research consultant dietitian at Slimming World, said: “Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures so it’s no wonder food FOMO is a very real factor for many of us when it comes to losing weight. As the research shows, in many cases certain foods can have a powerful pull on us, evoking memories and emotions and rekindling flavours and pleasures experienced in the past.
“Often, finding the desire or motivation to alter deeply ingrained habits around the way we shop, cook and eat can be challenging and that’s where support can be crucial to help slimmers.” The survey, carried out by Censuswide, also polled 13,000 members of the group's online and in-person weight loss groups. The vast majority (88 per cent) said they got more enjoyment from food since joining. Almost all (91%) agreed you can still eat your favourite foods while trying to lose weight.
Dr Avery added: “Changing habits takes real effort and without support, it can be easy to give up. Being part of a community where you’ll meet other people on the same journey who share their ideas, experiences and advice has been shown to help keep motivation high.
“There is no need to give up your favourite foods or miss out on the pleasure they bring you though – it’s just about finding new ways to prepare and cook the meals you love. Within Slimming World groups members receive in-depth expert support, led by a Consultant who’s lost weight on the programme themselves, to reshape the way they think about food and activity.”
Professor James Stubbs, an expert in appetite and diet at the University of Leeds, said the fear of missing out on favourite foods went beyond just hunger. He said: “It is overly simplistic to assume that we eat just because we are hungry. Recognising how food meets different psychological needs in different people helps us explain why people eat what they do when they know it may undermine longer-term weight and health.
“Typically, people might start to feel deprived of different ‘rewards’ that food gives them when they change their dietary habits for weight loss purposes. What this research shows us, is that our relationship with food can be complex and understanding our relationship with food at an individual level is important in helping people navigate to a healthy diet and healthier weight in a way that fits into their own lives.”