Chefs are revealed as the nation's unhealthiest workers

Those who work in the hospitality industry eat more junk food and ready meals, smoke more cigarettes and drink more alcohol than any other profession. Researchers found that, despite working in a kitchen, the average chef has 12 snacks of crisps, chocolate bars or biscuits each week, and at least one ready meal or takeaway. On top of that they smoke an average of 58 cigarettes per week and sup eight alcoholic drinks. The stats emerged in a study of 3,000 workers by healthcare cash plan provider Medicash. Second place went to farmers, who smoke 51 cigarettes a week and chomp their way through 14 unhealthy snacks. Electricians, insurance workers and builders are also among the unhealthiest workers in the UK. Those who work in advertising were found to have the healthiest lifestyle, smoking an average of just nine cigarettes and sipping just six alcoholic drinks a week. Teachers followed close behind in second place, followed by those in HR, accountants and lawyers. Peter Lauris, sales & 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. ''So instead, this research shows that they are enjoying a diet of junk food and ready meals, and the cigarettes and alcohol on top of that are only adding to their health woes.'' TOP TEN UNHEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS 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 TOP TEN HEALTHIEST PROFESSIONS 1. Ad rep 2. Teacher 3. Human resources assistant 4. Accountant 5. Lawyer 6. Secretary 7. IT worker 8. Researcher 9. Nurse 10. Shop assistant