Traditional apple crumble named 'Britain's favourite school pudding'

London, Mar 4 (ANI): Traditional apple crumble and custard is Britain's favourite school canteen pudding, says a new research.

According to the survey, carried out by online independent education guide www.tom-brown.com, the second most popular choice was chocolate sponge with chocolate custard and third most popular was jam roly-poly.

To reach the conclusion, experts asked volunteers about their memories of childhood dining.

As per the survey, two thirds said they would be disappointed to see traditional British puddings like chocolate sponge and jam roly poly disappear from school canteens.

In other findings, one in five adult women said they still eat their favourite school puddings for comfort.

Cary Cooper, professor of psychology at Lancaster University, reckons people carry on eating their favourite school foods because it reminds them of 'a happier time'.

"We rely on foods that were our favourite in our school years because this was a time when, in general, we were happy and life was less complicated. It's really for nostalgic reasons - the food is symbolic of a happier time so we eat it for comfort," The Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

"Whenever I go to the cinema I still buy the same kind of sweets as I did when I was a child even though now I don't even like them. But they remind me of my childhood," he added.

Tom-Brown.com editor Gail Dixon said: "In a time when the focus lies so heavily on diet and nutrition, we were surprised to see that some nostalgic old favourites still have a place in our hearts.

"We are always talking to parents and teachers about how children can get the greatest benefit from their time at school.

"We think that health and happiness play an important part in this.

"Despite the ongoing food debate, it's clear parents feel that there is still a place for the likes of jam roly poly on school menus. They want to see more children enjoying this element of school life without worrying too much about putting on weight."

Favourite puddings:

1 Crumble with custard

2 Chocolate sponge with chocolate custard

3 Jam roly poly

4 Treacle Tart

5 Bread and Butter Pudding

6 Spotted Dick

7 Sticky Toffee pudding. (ANI)