Two-thirds of Brits order a takeaway despite having food in the fridge – and one in five are left regretting it, with new research suggesting a simple freezer swap could save households hundreds of pounds a year.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by Censuswide for frozen food brand Kitchen Joy found that two-thirds of Brits (67%) order a takeaway even when they have ingredients at home to make a meal, with tiredness, lack of inspiration and poor planning all helping to fuel the habit.
And the convenience doesn’t always pay off. More than one in five (21%) say they regretted their most recent takeaway or wished they’d eaten something at home instead.
Too knackered to cook? You’re not alone
It seems the problem isn’t an empty fridge – it’s finding the energy or inspiration to make use of what’s in it.
Nearly one in four Brits (23%) say they order a takeaway because they’re too tired to cook, while 14% struggle to decide what to have for dinner. A further 13% say they don’t have time to prepare a meal, with the same proportion admitting they simply haven’t planned what to eat.
But the quick fix can leave a bad taste in the mouth.
While 34% said their most recent takeaway was worth every penny, almost one in five (19%) felt it was convenient but poor value for money. A further 9% regretted spending the money, while 12% wished they had eaten something at home instead.
Younger Brits are spending the most on takeaways
At an average of £19.07 per order, the cost of convenience can quickly mount up. Brits spend an estimated £516 a year on takeaways, but younger adults are spending considerably more.
Those aged 25–34 splash out an estimated £742 a year – more than any other age group. This compares with £717 among 35–44-year-olds and £707 among 18–24-year-olds.
Londoners are also spending heavily, with an estimated annual takeaway bill of £695.
Brits in the dark about takeaway calories
It’s not just household budgets that could give Brits food for thought. More than one in four (28%) admit they have no idea how many calories are in a typical takeaway meal.
Research by Nesta found that one in three takeaway meals contained at least 1,200 calories – double the Government’s 600-calorie benchmark for an individual lunch or dinner.
But Brits are aware that convenience doesn’t necessarily mean a healthier choice. Nearly two in five (39%) say their takeaway is rarely or never healthier than what they could have eaten at home.
The freezer shortcut to beating the takeaway habit
The research suggests that making dinner quicker and easier could help Brits cut back on takeaway orders. When asked how many takeaways they could realistically replace each month with a frozen meal ready in ten minutes or less, respondents said an average of 1.2.
Based on the average £19.07 takeaway spend, replacing 1.2 orders a month could save around £275 a year – while giving people a convenient alternative when they’re too tired to cook or short on inspiration.
Hayley Rossiter, marketing manager at Kitchen Joy, said: “We know that after a long day, the temptation to order a takeaway can be hard to resist – especially when you’re tired, short on time or stuck for dinner inspiration. But takeaways aren’t cheap, and it’s a habit that can quickly become expensive.
“We want to show people that a quick meal at home doesn’t have to mean compromising on flavour or settling for the same old options. Having something tasty in the freezer that’s ready in minutes can make it easier to skip the takeaway app and enjoy something different instead.”
