Charity's call to the South-East's chocoholics

Obsession with chocolateObsession with chocolate
Obsession with chocolate
Nearly half of people polled in the South-East admitted to being a chocoholic.

And more than a half admitted to having scoffed a share bag or large chocolate bar alone, in one sitting.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has revealed just how obsessed people are with the sweet stuff ahead of its DECHOX fundraising campaign, challenging people to give up chocolate and get sponsored for the month of March.

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When the cravings hit, it seems nothing can stand in their way with a third of people admitting to eating chocolate off the floor (33%) and almost as many eating chocolate past its sell by date (32%).

However, these chocolate habits are far from guilt-free with those in the South-East going to extraordinary lengths so they can treat themselves.

Nearly a quarter said they are good all week, so they can justify a weekend splurge (24%) whilst others exercised in order to have a naughty nibble (22%).

In fact, only 7% of people in the South-East have ever been able to give up chocolate for a month with some quitters not even lasting a day (2%).

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The BHF say it’s time for a DECHOX and is calling on chocolate-lovers across the South-East to give up their favourite sweet treats for March and get sponsored to raise money for life saving research.

Last year, more than 19,000 people took part in DECHOX, raising almost £800,000 in the fight against heart disease. The BHF is calling on even more people to sign up to help raise £1m next year.

Tracy Parker, BHF Heart Health Dietician, said: “It’s no secret that we’re a nation of chocolate-lovers and it’s extraordinary how far people are willing to go for a sweet treat.

“Chocolate should be an occasional treat rather than an everyday habit. Especially as a single chocolate bar averages 250kcals, equivalent to around 10% of a man’s and 12% of a woman’s recommended daily intake, in one sitting.

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“By joining thousands of people and signing up to DECHOX you’ll have a great support network around you to kick that chocolate habit. Whilst it’s only a bit of fun to challenge yourself to dump the chunk for one month, it could be a great way to get into better eating habits and the money raised through sponsorship will help fund vital research to help the seven million people living with cardiovascular disease in the UK.”

To find out more and to sign up visit www.bhf.org.uk/dechox, follow BHF on Facebook or meet fellow Dechoxers using #DECHOX

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