Who ate all the chocolate bars – and pies?

Men are Britain's true chocoholics, according to a new report which shows that not only do men consume more chocolate than women, but they also eat more pies and less fruit.

While about 50% of women snack on chocolate, some 58% of men admit to being partial to it. The classic view of the female chocoholic may be a result of women making a bigger deal out of their addiction, regarding chocolate as a treat while on a diet. Meanwhile, men are more likely to tuck in whenever they feel like it, according to researcher Mintel which produced the report.

Pies and pasties are also consumed in greater numbers by men, with 21% saying they would choose one as a snack compared with only 10% of women. Chocolate is apparently Britain's second-favourite snack, however, with 57% of adults claiming they reach for a piece of fruit first.

Britain spends £9.2b on snacks a year, with Londoners leading the healthy snacking brigade. Those living in Wales, the South-west and Scotland are the most likely to choose an unhealthy snack.