Scots admit to junk food binges during lockdown

MORE than a third of Scots binged on harmful sugary and salty snacks during lockdown.

A survey found 37 per cent said they had eaten more foods high in sugar, salt and fat such as cakes, biscuits, crisps and sweets while forced to stay at home.

The Food Standards Scotland (FSS) research focused on the high-alert period of the pandemic.

The online survey tracked food purchasing and consumption in Scotland for three months from May to July 2020, before the recent pub and restaurant lockdown relaxation measures.

The results also showed 28 per cent of Scots ate healthier meals more often than before lockdown.

One-third bought takeaway food less often compared to before lockdown, either directly because of cooking more at home, being concerned about Covid-19 or the fact they were trying to save money.

In addition, 35 per cent of people said they either bought less or no processed food such as bacon and cured meats.

FSS chief executive Geoff Ogle said: ‘Our Covid-19 Consumer Tracker shows food behaviour in relation to nutrition changed during the bulk of lockdown.

‘It’s great some of us ate healthier meals more, but the nibbles were also a temptation. Being indoors more often made it difficult to avoid unhealthy snacks, such as cakes, biscuits, confectionery and crisps.

‘When our meals are healthy it’s easy to forget around a fifth of the calories and fat we eat, and almost half the sugar comes from unhealthy snacks which offer very little nutritional value and should be enjoyed occasionally in small amounts.

‘We already know that poor diet and obesity leads to other health issues.

‘We can no longer avoid the fact obesity is a contributory factor to a person’s ability to deal with the health consequences of Covid-19.’

Professor Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’s cancer prevention expert, based at the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘More needs to be done to make it easier for shoppers to make the healthiest choice when they do their weekly shop.

‘Carrying too much weight is linked with 13 types of cancer and is responsible for 2,200 cases each year in Scotland.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘It is encouraging to note from this research that on the whole people made healthier food choices during lockdown. We are committed to creating a Scotland where we eat well, have a healthy weight and are physically active.’

‘Very little nutritional value’