Brits now eat 50% more takeaways than before the pandemic

Britons are eating far more takeaways than before the pandemic, with the habit showing no signs of fading. In 2022, the average adult consumed 400 calories a week from delivered meals—nearly 50% more than in 2019. Experts warn that convenience is reshaping diets, even as overall nutrition remains largely unchanged. The rise in takeaway meals marks a sharp change in eating habits. Fast food and delivery apps like Deliveroo and Uber Eats now dominate out-of-home dining, accounting for 47% of calories consumed outside the home—up from 31% in 2019. Andrew McKendrick, a research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, called it a 'drastic shift' towards convenience.

Despite the surge, the overall healthiness of diets has stayed much the same. Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, pointed to the abundance of unhealthy options on high streets as a key factor. Meanwhile, Lord Bethell, a former Conservative health minister, raised concerns about the extra calories people are consuming from takeaways. The hospitality industry faces its own struggles. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, admitted the sector is under pressure but believes it will adapt. Yet the balance between convenience, health, and keeping high street businesses afloat remains unresolved. Some suggest the pandemic has permanently altered dining habits. The trend of eating on the sofa, once a temporary measure, may now be a lasting change in how people consume meals.

Takeaway meals have become a regular part of British diets, with no clear improvement in overall nutrition. The shift towards delivery services reflects broader changes in lifestyle and convenience. For now, the long-term effects on health and local businesses remain uncertain.