Although 30% of respondents said they were snacking on cheese, which is a healthy and nutritious food in moderation, less healthy foods are getting a good look-in too, with 65% snacking on chocolate, 63% on crisps and 47% on sweets.

Some 40% of respondents admitted they are finding it harder to stick to a healthier diet during the third lockdown than the first two lockdowns, with 53% citing a lack of motivation and just over half of people (51%) blaming the cold days and long nights, which are making them reach for the their favourite comfort food. 

The number one comfort food in the survey is a cheese toastie (25%), followed by pizza (17%) and jacket potato with cheese (12%).

Dorota Dziedzic, Assistant Brand Manager for Jarlsberg®, said: “Our survey highlights how much harder the UK population is finding lockdown 3. People found it easier to maintain a healthy routine in the first lockdown in the spring, but this one has hit people harder and, as our survey shows, there is a real lack of motivation to stick to a healthier diet this time, particularly as winter makes us crave comfort food – and this winter is record-breaking in its low temperatures.”

“Our survey found that the food that the UK population needs the most to get them through this toughest of winters is the cheese toastie.”

The nation's favourite lockdown toastie is cheese and ham (21%), followed by BLT (18%), with the traditional cheese toastie and tuna melt toastie in joint third place (12%). Cheese and pickle and chocolate spread are in fourth and fifth place respectively with vegan cheeze toasties in sixth place.

“We all have our different ways of creating our favourite toasties, whether that's using a toastie maker or a grill pan, and of course, we all have our own favourite ingredients, and different types of bread that make up a toastie, from sliced to panini, croissant or even naan bread. 

“And it's not too late to kick-start your healthy eating – I would suggest that by using wholemeal bread, no butter and adding in some tomatoes and a bit of lettuce with your cheese, you can even enjoy a completely guilt-free cheese toastie, as this is a thoroughly healthy meal.

“The comfort that cheese brings to food and feelings has come across loud and clear in the survey with cheese making the top three in the poll of most favourite comfort foods: cheese toastie, pizza and jacket potato with cheese.”

Cheese may be the nation's number 1 comfort food, but the good news is that it is packed with goodness: it's a great source of protein and calcium and contains high amounts of vitamins A and B-12, along with zinc, phosphorus, and riboflavin. Cheese made from the milk of 100 percent grass-fed animals is the highest in nutrients and also contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K-2.

1,000 people took part in the Jarlsberg®* survey, which was conducted between 5 and 8 February*.

About Jarlsberg®*

• Jarlsberg® is the UK's number one deli cheese with holes and is made from a secret Norwegian recipe dating back to 1956.
• Jarlsberg® can be found on the deli, in block, in sliced pack and half wheels in Asda, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Morrisons and Tesco. Jarlsberg® Special Reserve is available on Waitrose deli.
• Jarlsberg® Special Reserve is ripened for a minimum of 12 months. The ageing process retains the characteristic flavours and aromas, but intensifies them to produce a stronger, more robust cheese.
• Both cheeses are naturally lactose-free and suitable for vegetarians.
• Jarlsberg® is made by Norseland, the UK's number one specialty cheese supplier. Its brands include Mexicana® UK's number one spicy cheese, Applewood®, the UK's number one smoky cheese, Ilchester® UK's leading blended and snacking cheese supplier, Applewood® Vegan and Mexicana® Vegan.