Women admit to food fibs

The average woman tells 474 lies every year - about food, it emerged yesterday (Thurs).

Each week, the typical female will tell nine fibs about what she has eaten, how much she has eaten and how much she drank.

Common classics include ''It was only a small portion'', after consuming a large dish and '' I'll have a big lunch so I won't eat much after this'' when in fact they know they will.

Others to be wheeled out regularly include '' I only treat myself once in a blue moon'' while munching on treats all day, and '' I always eat my five-a-day'' when they rarely or never do.

'I only had one glass' and 'I never touch fast food' are also favourites, the study found.

The study was commissioned by Timex to launch its Health Tracker watch, which encourages you to enter the calories you consume into a daily food diary while also showing you how many calories you have burned throughout the day.

Dr. Cassandra Maximenko, Chiropractic Physician and Timex Multisport Athlete said: "This study proves we live in a nation of denial where image takes a higher priority than honesty and no one wants to be seen eating food they shouldn't, or even in larger quantities than is socially acceptable.

"Studies show that keeping a food diary can double weight loss but it seems that rather than being honest about the food and drink which passes our lips, many women are lying about it, or completely denying it altogether.

"But while this might save them some embarrassment in front of their partner or friends in the short term, it's not going to help them reach their health and weight loss goals in the future.

"By lying to their loved ones, women are also lying to themselves and could easily see their weight creep up."

Almost half of the 3,000 Brits polled also denied eating all of the treats in their home, even though they had worked the way through all the sweet goods behind closed doors.

And the lies aren't all innocent, as almost one in five women even admitted that their food fibs have caused tension or rows with their other half.

Brits revealed that 'It was only a small portion' is the most common lie, followed by 'I've had a big lunch so I won't eat much later'.

'I only treat myself once in a while' was third, while 'I always eat my five-a-day' and 'I didn't touch any of the biscuits' completed the top five.

Other popular lies include 'I only have half a sugar', 'I just finished off the kids leftovers' and denying eating the last chocolate or packet of crisps.

Chocolate, crisps, sweets and cake were also revealed as the types of food most likely to see women lie to their friends or partner.

But while 63 per cent of women think the odd fib about their food intake is harmless, 37 per cent admit that the lies mean they are just kidding themselves about the food they are really eating.

Researchers also found that more than three quarters of women try their best to eat well but admit they slip up from time to time.

Despite this, 48 per cent of women still lie to others, simply to give the impression they are healthier than they really are.

Forty per cent of women also admitted they try to eat healthily when they are in an office environment, and try different diets with their work colleagues.

But as a result, 66 per cent then feel guilty if they have something bad and everyone else continues to eat healthily.

Top 20 food and drink lies

1.  It was only a small portion - when actually it's much larger
2. I'll have a big lunch so I won't eat much after this - when in fact they know they will
3. I only treat myself once in a while - they munch on treats throughout the day
4. I always eat my five-a-day - they rarely eat five a day
5. I didn't touch any of the biscuits - they had five
6. I only had one glass  - I drank the bottle
7. I  didn't eat the last one - when they clearly did
8. I won't eat again today after this - they know they will
9. I was too busy to have lunch - despite being busy they always make time for lunch
10. I might as well polish them off now or they'll go bad - they have plenty of time left on the best before date
11. I had a salad so that's healthy - (despite dressings etc)
12. I never touch fast food - only when no one is looking
13. Red wine is good for you - not in vast quantities
14. I only have half a sugar - half a very large spoon
15. I limit my carb intake - but don't count potatoes
16. I'm testing the dinner - I test it at least five times whilst cooking it
17. I only had a drink because we were toasting an occasion - the toast lasted all night long
18. I only drink diet fizzy drinks - although full fat ones are regularly consumed
19. I just finished off the kids leftovers - they left a lot
20. I don't drink tea after 5pm - although I have one at 7.30pm sometimes

Top ten food and drinks women are most likely to lie about

1. Chocolate
2. Crisps
3. Cake
4. Sweets
5. Wine
6. Cheese
7. Bread
8. Chips
9. Burgers
10. Beer