The old, traditional favourite 'Bangers and Mash' is officially the Uk's most popular comfort food.
In the credit Crunch, UK shoppers are turning to comfort food in an effort to treat themselves while keeping costs as low as possible. That good old feel-good dish Bangers and Mash is the clear favourite with 16% of respondents in a new survey, rating it as their top dish.
The survey also discovered that other traditional comfort foods like Fish and Chips and Beans on Toast are the next most popular dishes of choice. Heinz recently revealed a 21 per cent jump in sales of its Baked Beans in the UK.
The findings suggest that for many, cocoa cravings may peak at a time of crisis, which explains why Chocolate Cake features in the top five credit crunch comfort list with 8% of the votes. Italian dishes Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognese are also proving firm favourites along with Shepherd’s Pie. Other popular dishes include the sticky puddings Treacle Sponge and Custard and moreish Fruit Crumble and Custard , with the top ten completed by Macaroni Cheese.
The top ten credit crunch comfort foods are:
1. Bangers and Mash
2. Fish and Chips
3. Baked Beans on toast
4. Chocolate cake
5. Lasagne
6. Spaghetti Bolognese
7. Treacle Sponge and Custard
8. Fruit Crumble and Custard
9. Shepherd's Pie
10. Macaroni Cheese
As a result of a rise in comfort eating, British waistlines are also expanding. Three quarters of consumers admit that they have upped their food intake since the recession began, while four in ten reveal that they have put on an average of six pounds in the last six months. Healthy eating has also been cast aside by a third of shoppers who say that despite rising costs, food is proving to be their only comfort.
The findings also reveal the main reason why Britons are turning to comfort food is because they feel it is one of the few ways to treat themselves. Eating habits are also changing with 38% of respondents reporting that they prefer to socialise at home with their friends over home-cooked meals in favour of being in the pub or eating out at restaurants.
Celebrity chef Brian Turner says: “At a time when we are getting less for more when we buy food, comfort deserts such as Chocolate Cake, Fruit Crumble and Custard and Treacle Sponge with Custard are helping to put a smile back on our faces. It’s feel-good food for Britain at its best.”
As the recession continues, shoppers' attitude to food is also changing with 39% saying they are more budget conscious than they were 12 months ago and hate seeing food go to waste.
With the average Briton now spending an extra £35 a month more on groceries than the same time last year, previously considered essentials are now being thought of as luxuries. Steak fares the worst with 52% of shoppers deciding not to buy it, while fruit juice and pastries are also being left behind on supermarket shelves.
July 2009 | 
How To Get Kids Cooking
