Study's Top 25 Feel-Good Foods Mark the International Day of Happiness

Today is the International Day of Happiness, so a study addressing what makes us feel the best was undergone in light of this joyous occasion.
The result probably won’t surprise you – it seems that three quarters of Brits find that nothing makes them happier than eating!
According to these new findings, which were gathered by the Giraffe chain, more than 76% of Brits claim that food gives them more enjoyment than anything else.
It seems that foods such as spicy curries, juicy steak, chocolate and nachos laden with cheese make us the most excited and provide instant mood-boosters to those indulging.
Incredibly, one in five foodies confessed that they are happier enjoying their favourite meal than having sex with their partner! Over half of the 2,000 individuals polled said they prefer to eat than watch their TV show of choice, and more than half admitted certain foods make them feel better than exercising.
96% of the reach said that tucking into their favourite meals with family and friends actively lifts their spirits when they are feeling low, and further analysis of the results suggests that today’s generation are much more experimental with their food choices than previous generations.
Dr Becky Spelman, Cognitive Behavioral Psychologist, commented: “When we taste, see, or even think about the food we love, our natural serotonin levels rise, giving us a sense of overall happiness and well-being.
“Even from childhood, food is at the heart of a range of happy occasions, such as birthdays and Christmas. From a very early age, we find it impossible to think about celebrating without also thinking about what we’ll eat and drink on the happy occasion.
“This stays with us all the way into our adult life – and in almost every culture, food is a way of showing love and affection. Whether it’s treating friends or loved ones to a meal, baking a cake for our friends at work, or throwing a party with plenty of food and drink.
“In today’s busy world, we increasingly enjoy showing people that we care about them by treating them to a meal out in a restaurant.”
Check out the Nation’s Top 25 ‘Happy Meals’ below:
Chocolate 48%
A spicy curry 47%
Fish and chips 43%
A juicy steak 43%
A burger 42%
Hot pizza 37%
Ice cream 33%
Chocolate brownie 29%
Cheese and biscuits 29%
A plate of pasta 28%
Buttery mashed potato 25%
A baked potato 24%
Fish fingers and chips 22%
Smoked salmon and scrambled egg 22%
Cheesy Nachos 22%
A crisp salad 20%
Pancake drizzled with syrup 20%
Tapas 20%
Egg and bacon bagel 19%
Beans on toast 19%
French bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar 18%
A spicy burrito 16%
Risotto 16%
Hummus and pitta%
Bagels 12%
To mark the research and International Day of Happiness, today Giraffe are celebrating Brits love of food and spreading happiness across the nation by giving away 3,000 FREE Peanut Butter and Fudgy Chocolate Decker’s.
To claim a FREE Peanut Butter and Fudgy Chocolate Decker, simply head to your local Giraffe World Kitchen from 12pm on Tuesday 20 March and reference ‘International Day of Happiness’. Offered on a first come, first served basis, so get yours now!
> Hannah Montgomery