Chefs are unhealthiest workers in Britain

A study of 3,000 workers conducted by healthcare cash plan provider Medicash, found that the average chef snacks on 12 packets of crisps, chocolate bars or biscuits each week, and has at least one takeaway or ready meal, despite having the skills to cook healthy, nutritious meals themselves.

Peter Lauris, sales and marketing director for Medicash, said: “It may be surprising to see chefs at the top of the list, since you would expect them to be in the know when it comes to preparing a nice, healthy meal. But in reality, it’s probably the last thing they feel like doing when they get home from work. After spending the day in the kitchen for work, I imagine they simply want to put their feet up when they get in at night.”

Chefs were also found to smoke around 58 cigarettes a week and drink eight alcoholic drinks, higher than the national average of 21 cigarettes and six drinks.

Unhealthy but fit​

However, the research revealed that despite having such unhealthy habits, chefs exercise more often than the average Briton. Chefs, whose fast-paced kitchen environment often inspires them to exercise frequently to maintain their stamina, were found to work out 2.45 times a week, 0.09 times more than the average British worker.

Several high profile chefs, including Gordon Ramsay, Michel Roux Jr and Tom Aikens regularly run in the London marathon, while Gary Rhodes is known to visit the gym every morning before work.

Chris Galvin, who recently opened his latest venture La Chappelle​, also exercises regularly and participated alongside other chefs in the Mayfair Park and Tower Race​ in London’s Hyde Park in the summer, to raise money for Galvin’s Chance apprenticeship programme.

The top ten unhealthiest professions in the UK are:​

1. Chef
2. Farmer
3. Electrician
4. Insurance worker
5. Builder
6. Banker
7. Call Centre worker
8. Truck driver
9. Engineer
10. Travel agent