Favorite British Comfort Foods? Curry and Cottage Pie
Curry, Chinese and cottage pie are among the UK's favorite comfort foods, according to research.
Other favorites to feature in the top 40 include bangers and mash, lasagne and spaghetti Bolognese. It also emerged the average Brit will tuck into comfort food nine times a month — typically spending £277 on it every year.
And for 31 percent, the key factor in deciding what feel-good meal to eat is how filling it is. Three in 10 will simply opt for something hot and 27 per cent want a meal which requires minimal effort to prepare.
The research of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned by Iceland, which has expanded its exclusive Slimming World range.
Bev Mitchell, trading director for Iceland, said, "Our research has shown that as the cold weather approaches, people are turning to comfort foods and seven in 10 people admitted that their favorite comfort foods often aren't the healthiest choices. However, it is possible to enjoy lots of our autumnal favourites in a healthier way thanks to our Slimming World range."
When it comes to sweet or savory, four in 10 tend to opt for the latter with just 28 percent going for sweeter dishes. And the list appears to reflect this, with the top 40 dominated by savory dishes.
However sticky toffee pudding and fruit crumble appear, too.
The research also found 59 percent of people also don't give a moment's thought to nutritional benefits when choosing a pick-me-up meal. And seven in 10 admit their favorite comfort foods tend to be bad for them, with 43 per cent saying they indulge in comfort foods "more than they should."
However, 57 percent agree 'healthy' and 'comfort foods' don't have to be mutually exclusive — arguing both are possible. And half wish there were more comfort food options available which are better for you.
Carried out through OnePoll, the research also found six in 10 are most likely to turn to comfort foods during autumn and winter. A third said they tend to eat comfort foods to reward themselves, 23 percent tuck into them when they are stressed and almost a fifth indulge when they're under the weather.
When choosing their morale boosting meal, 36 percent turn to dishes they enjoyed as kids and one in 10 plump for something prepared by someone else.
TOP 10 COMFORT FOODS:
1. Chocolate
2. Fish and chips
3. Bacon sandwich
4. Roast dinner
5. Crisps
6. Pizza
7. Cake
8. Full English breakfast
9. Ice cream
10. Biscuits