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Are you one of the UK's 7 million secret snackers?

Is snacking making a dishonest woman – or man – out of you? Well, a recent survey by LighterLife suggests you’re not alone…

More than a third of women currently on a New Year’s diet are secret scoffers, according to recent research by weight loss company LighterLife.

More than a third (36%) – or seven million – of UK ladies watching their waistline are hiding food or eating it in the dark, says the study. Handbags, under the bed and clothes drawers emerged as the favourite hiding places for secret supplies. But women also gorge on naughty foods in the car, walking down the street or even when lying on a sunbed. What’s more, the deception is growing.

“We are shocked just how much the desperation levels have soared compared with the same poll four years ago,” said a spokesperson for LighterLife, which surveyed 2,000 women.

More slimmers

Dieting also appears to be on the increase. The study of 16 to 65-year-olds found that 85% have been on a diet in a bid to lose weight, compared with 61% four years ago. Success rates, however, appear low, as these women have tried to slim down an average of eight times.

This is pretty much confirmed by the fact that 28% of women surveyed admitted that they have only stuck to a diet for 24 hours, with three quarters only managing to resist temptation for under a week. The average of the longest time to diet emerged as 15 weeks.

Avoiding the truth

The research also found that one in six women secretly eats on a weekly basis, and one in 10 does so every two or three days.

More than half (51%) admit to lying about what they’ve eaten – with husbands (46%), mums (45%) and best friends (24%) the recipients of the fibs.

Four in 10 avoid the truth, because they feel ashamed of the food they’re scoffing, and 39% knew it was the unhealthy option. Meanwhile, three in 10 fear being lectured, with a third left feeling guilty and a quarter supposed to be on a diet. Alarmingly, a fifth of women said they even used fast-food outlets as an easy way to eat and hide away from friends, family or work colleagues.

Food over sex

The recession has also allowed women the excuse not to buy healthy food, but munch on pizza (23%), microwave meals (16%) and chips (15%) instead.

Meanwhile, a desperate 53% of girls even admitted there are times when they would rather have food than sex (compared with 31% four years ago) – with chocolate, takeaways and desserts the top choice to keep them away from the bedroom. It also emerged six in 10 women admit to craving and dreaming about food.

Some 40% of women see food as a “pick me up”, reveals the LighterLife survey. However, one in five tend to reach for their comfort food when feeling depressed or stressed and one in 10 slump in the sofa with their favourite food because they’re lonely.

On a guilt trip

Probably the really unfortunate fact revealed by this research is that most women feel guilty about their secret scoffing habits, with 80% regretted eating something that was unhealthy. What’s more, a desperate 36% admitted to throwing away food to stop themselves eating it, because they wre worried about putting on weight.

Also worrying is that and untrusting 35% blame their problem on others, believing their partner, family member or friend has sabotaged their diet one way or another.

“Four in 10 women have faced temptation, witnessing their husband eat something delicious in front of them and a quarter have been invited out to a swanky restaurant for dinner,” said a LighterLife spokesperson. “But if you do want your partner to lose weight, keep a close eye on them around 11am and 3pm, which emerged as the peak secret-snacking time.”

Another solution would be for women to face up to their snacking issues and find a snack that was not only healthy, but helps to keep them feeling full, therefore staving off further cravings until their next meal. Ador’s Swiss chocolate range and oat bar selection contains a natural ingredient that does just that, and is a delicious way of beating cravings – it could also make an honest women – or man – out of you!

For more about Ador, visit www.adorfood.com

For more about LighterLife, visit http://lighterlife.com