Are You a Boredom Snacker? This Is How Many Additional Calories You Could Be Consuming Each Year
Almost one in three (31 percent) of Brits admit to snacking daily, not through hunger but sheer boredom and apathy – and of those regular snackers, the average amount of additional calories consumed is a whopping 30,960 a month.
Over a year, this equates to 371,520 – the equivalent of 730 Big Mac burgers.
The average boredom snacker munches through six packets of crisps per week, as well as ten biscuits, four slices of cheese and three packets of instant noodles.
Commissioned by Abbott’s Lingo business, a biosensor and app designed to help people understand their body’s glucose responses, the survey findings highlight how habitual eating habits are deeply rooted across the UK.
As many as 31 percent report regularly eating within two hours of bedtime.
The survey also shows that poor sleep is directly tied to cravings for high-carb or sugary foods, with 66 percent of respondents saying they indulge in these food choices the day after a bad night’s sleep.
While the calorific content of convenient snack foods is high, so is the sugar and carbs.
“These choices, while offering short-term satisfaction, are driving glucose spikes that may lead to fatigue, energy crashes and even more cravings1,” said Sophie Betrand, resident nutritionist at Abbott’s Lingo business.
Sophie explains: “Modern eating habits and busy lives often lead us to choose high-sugar and ultra-processed food options.
“While these choices may seem convenient, they can lead to sharp glucose spikes, which not only leave us feeling drained but can also lead to an unhealthy cycle of craving and overconsumption2. Not to mention the lack of nutrition in these types of food”.
“What people often interpret as hunger is sometimes their body reacting to low glucose levels. Our survey revealed that an average of three out of five (61 percent) people struggle to tell the difference between true hunger and a passing craving.
“With real-time data from biosensors, people can access glucose readings on their app / smartphone, leading to better understanding of glucose levels and then the building of healthy habits based on informed choices.”
The findings reveal women are more prone than men to boredom snacking (86 percent vs. 80 percent).
To resist food cravings, according to the survey, some people turn to non-food solutions.
Nearly half (48 percent) distract themselves with work, while others choose walking (41 percent), drinking water (31 percent), or even showering (5 percent), as a tool to avoid snacking.
REGULAR SNACKERS’S AVERAGE MONTHLY BOREDOM CALORIE INTAKE
| Boredom Snack | Average amount consumed each month |
| A standard size packet of crisps (30 grams) – 170kcal | 6 per week (4,080 extra kcal per month) |
| A standard sized chocolate bar (39 grams) – 190kcal | 6 per week (4,560 extra kcal per month) |
| 2 x biscuits (eg hobnobs or digestives) – 140kcal | 5 per week (2,800 extra kcal per month) |
| One banana (medium) – 105kcal | 5 per week (2,100 extra kcal per month) |
| Two pieces of toast with 1.5 tbsp butter- 334kcal | 5 per week (6,680 extra kcal per month) |
| One medium sized apple, 3” – 95kcal | 5 per week (1,900 extra kcal per month |
| One slice of cheddar cheese – 110kcal | 4 per week (1,760 extra kcal per month) |
| A handful of mixed nuts (30 grams) – 180kcal | 4 per week (2,880 extra kcal per month) |
| Instant noodles x 1 pack – 350kcal | 3 per week (4,200extra kcal per month) |
| Total: | 30,960 calories per month |