The time of the day when food urges spike has been revealed.
Self-control is tested when the clock hits 4pm for the average Brit as this is when our food urges spike, according to a new study by Chicago Town.
These cravings can be trigged when we spot pictures of food, can smell something tasty cooking, or even hear other people talk about their hunger pangs.
Seven out of 10 Brits (71 per cent) think about pizza daily, and we love it so much as a nation that over a third of Brits (38 per cent) make sure they have it at least once a week.
Friday and Saturday are the top days where people give in and grab a slice, but Wednesday follows closely, with pizza getting Brits through the week.
When it comes to satisfying the urge for pizza, more people are opting for home-cooked (46%) vs choosing takeout (38%).
To help Brits find their own Urge o’clock, Chicago Town has launched an online calculator and competition that will give three lucky winners the chance to receive a year’s supply of pizza for when the urge hits.
Simply enter by answering four simple questions here and uncover your Urge o’clock.
Consultant psychologist Honey Langcaster-James suggests that hunger pangs are thanks to our brains signalling that it’s the ‘normal’ time of day or even place to grab food.
“Our appetite for food is really quite interesting from a psychological point of view,” she said.
“External cues that often lead to hunger include images of food, enticing smells, and even locations that you might associate with a particular food.
“The time of day can also make you feel hungry because it has become part of your routine, so your brain learns to expect you to eat at a particular point in time.
“With some foods, like pizza, there is often a social element and a wider psychological benefit, too. Because pizza is often split up and shared among people you’re with, this can provide you with a kind of bonding experience, and lead to a feeling of togetherness with those you care about.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here