Over a third of Liverpool residents have eaten chocolate as part of every meal in a single day, new statistics have revealed.
Around six in ten people in the city fail to realise just how many calories are in their favourite chocolate treats while over a third confess to eating chocolate for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The British Heart Foundation released the figures as part of its ‘Dechox’ campaign to help fund life saving research into heart disease.
The survey showed around six in ten underestimate just how many calories are in a typical chocolate bar (59%) while close to six in ten don’t realise how many calories are in their favourite chocolate treats including a chocolate chip muffin (57%).
A third (33%) said they feel guilty after overindulging on sweet treats, and with a third (34%) saying chocolate is sneaking its way into every meal of the day, its no surprise that over one in ten residents have even resorted to eating chocolate in secret (11%), away from prying eyes.
The statistics also revealed that people in the city start to become more health-conscious in our late 20’s.
In the UK, women were found to start feeling guilty about gorging on chocolate from 24, compared to most men from 28.
Even though around a quarter of people (22%) rank chocolate as the hardest thing to give up, it seems there is still hope for a city clearly infatuated with chocolate.
Six in ten people remain confident that they could give up chocolate for a month (61%). So why not take part in DECHOX this March and take on the challenge?
Tracy Parker, Heart Health Dietician at the BHF, said: “It’s no secret that we’re a nation of chocoholics.
“While its fine to treat yourself now and again, this survey shows how chocolate is becoming commonplace in our diets – almost from the moment we wake up to when we go to sleep.
“By challenging yourself to a Dechox this March you can help eliminate temptation whilst raising funds for our life saving research.
“By ditching chocolate, you can kick start some healthier habits, and help fund the breakthroughs that will see us beat heart disease for good.”
The BHF is calling on chocolate-lovers across the UK to give up their favourite chocolate treats in March and get sponsored to raise money for life saving research into heart disease.
For more information and to sign up, visit www.bhf.org.uk/dechox