THE credit crunch has taken a bite out of your purse and all you can think about is food to make you feel better.

And with budgets blitzed for another season, slap-up meals out are permanently off the menu for most people.

So what are we turning to in our time of need? Choccie bars, apparently.

Experts say that people who can no longer afford meals out or holidays are opting for quick-fix pick-me-ups instead.

Sales of chocolate bars like Crunchies are up 6 per cent and Cadbury's Roses have seen their biggest leap at 22 per cent.

But is comfort scoffing confectionary a dangerous game for our weight?

“We all deserve a treat now and again,” says nutrition expert, Amanda Ursell.

“But the best way to enjoy something like chocolate is to use portion control.

“Have a few cubes and make your treat last by eating slowly and savouring the flavour.

“But be careful – chocolate is packed with sugar, which will send your blood sugar soaring, so try and resist the urge to scoff more than you planned to.”

Ten under 200 calories

Having a choccie treat doesn’t need to be a diet disaster, check out these low calorie choices below:

2 finger Kit Kat - 106 calories

Cadbury’s Fudge - 110 calories

Cadbury’s Twirl (1 finger) - 116 calories

Milky Way (1 bar) - 118 calories

Twix, single finger - 143 calories

Aero - 164 calories

Cadbury’s Crème Egg - 170 calories

Cadbury’s Flake - 170 calories

Turkish Delight - 186 calories

Maltesers - 187 calories