All bets are off for Britons from the moment they check-in for a holiday as beach body diets go by the wayside in favour of calorific indulgence at the airport and on the plane . New research has revealed that Britons consume an average of 3,402 calories between their arrival at the airport and landing at their destination , well above the NHS 's recommended daily intake . Britons overindulge more than holidaymakers from Spain , Italy , France and Germany , who were also polled , saying their holiday began long before their arrival at their chosen destination . Britons eat and drink an average of 3,402 calories at the airport and on the plane when they go on holiday . A Burger King at London Heathrow , one of more than 60 food outlets at the airport . The survey of 2,607 adults who had flown away for a holiday in the past 12 months shows the average Briton consumes between 900 and 1,400 more than health professionals say they should . The results , collated by UK flight comparison website Jetcost.co.uk , showed that the average Briton will consume 1,963 calories during this brief period in food and an additional 1,439 calories in alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks - a total of 3,402 . Asked whether they felt they were over-indulging at the airport and in flight , a resounding 79 per cent said 'yes ' , with 53 per cent of respondents saying they were 'getting into the holiday spirit ' and 28 per cent saying they 'no longer needing to diet for the holiday ' . Germans come closest to Brits for pre-and-during flight consumption with a total of 3,107 calories , followed by travellers from Spain ( 2,350 calories ) , Italy ( 2,311 calories ) and French ( 1,269 calories ) . Escalators lead up to the cafes , restaurants and bars at London Gatwick airport , a facility where travellers like to 'get into the holiday spirit ' 'These numbers are astonishing , particularly when you consider the average male should consume 2,500 calories per day and the average female just 2,000 , ' said Jetcost.co.uk co-founder Antoine Michelat . 'Women are almost doubling their calorie intake within a matter of hours . ' Despite reaching for high-calorie treats during this brief period of their trip , Brits often save their pennies at the airport and on budget carriers that sell food . About a third of those polled ( 34 per cent ) said they brought their own food from home with 68 per cent saying price from their main motivation , 45 per cent just want to be prepared , 42 per cent were eager not to eat into their holiday budget and 17 per cent had dietary requirements . Sandwiches ( 37 per cent ) , crisps ( 31 per cent ) and sweets/chocolates ( 25 per cent ) were the most popular items taken to the airport by holiday makers , not the healthiest of options . While many choose to buy food on board , 34 per cent of Brits bring their own food from home . 'We 'd never recommend that anyone consume this many calories per day , let alone within such a short period of time , ' added Michelat . 'Yes , we all like to have a blow out every now and then , but eating this much in one go is very bad for your waistline ! This can be damaging for your health in many ways , particularly with regards to weight gain and conditions caused by weight gain . 'If you find yourself getting too carried away with food and drink , why not prepare your own food at home and limit yourself to that ? If you 're on a plane , there 's a good chance that you 're heading off on your holidays and you 're about to have a period of time where you 're going to overindulge for the duration , but try to think of the long term effects . '
Brits consume an average of 3,402 calories between check - in and landing . 34 per cent of surveyed respondents admitted they were over - enthusiastic . German , Italian , Spanish and French immigrants ranked behind them . 34 per cent consume food from home , with sandwiches and crisps popular .