Britons are spending £641 a year on takeaways – money expert explains how to cut down

The average Briton spends more than £600 a year on takeaway food, according to new figures.

Data from KPMG shows that the average Briton spends £641 a year on takeaways – or just over £12 a week.

That compares to the £1,508 an average person in the UK spends on food shops per year, according to an analysis by the savings platform Raisin UK – which works out to £29 per week.

This means that the amount they spend on having food delivered is 42.5 percent of what they spend on supermarkets.

Raisin’s research also compared how household size affected takeout habits.

It was found that the standard British household, which consists of two adults and two children, spends around £5,616 a year on their weekly grocery store, which is about £108 a week.

However, smaller households spend a greater percentage on takeout food compared to a weekly shop.

On average, two cohabiting adults spend £62 on groceries and £32 on takeaway meals a week, Raisin said.

Takeaways have become hugely popular since the start of the lockdown and there are now a plethora of options thanks to services such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.

With inflation at its highest point in 10 years and Britons facing higher food and energy costs, it may be time to cut back on an expensive takeaway.

After all, rising energy costs have meant that nearly nine in 10 Britons have made at least one change to their home this winter to lower their bills, according to comparison site Uswitch.com.

And the price of a takeaway is likely to rise as well. Food prices rose 14.6 percent in the 12 months to September, according to the ONS, from 13.1 percent in August.

These increases will also affect the weekly shop, putting further pressure on UK budgets.

Despite mounting financial pressures, it’s easier said than done for many people to move away from the weekly takeaway.

Chris Tompkins, life coach and associate therapist at Theara says, “I’ve found that even in financially challenging situations, there is a ubiquity of tempting social and food cues.

“This means that the individual is fueled by their emotional desire to eat takeout and that they put their financial logic aside and revisit that logic after the meal has been consumed.

“Financial stress is no match for emotional self-control — or the lack of it. Not only that, but takeaway is also easy. There are no dishes involved and no preparation, so the decision to go for takeaway is an easy one, even amid financial instability.”

How can Brits curb the takeaway urge?

Removing the fast food apps from your mobile phone can be a good start.

But if you want to cut down on fast food instead of giving it up completely, planning your weekly meals in advance can also be a good strategy.

Kevin Mountford, savings expert and co-founder of Raisin UK says: ‘It may be simple, but planning your meals for the week on Sunday and shopping accordingly will help you be prepared for the week.

“With a little organization, you can resist the temptation and save money because you know in advance exactly how much time and energy the dinner will take.

Food on Demand: Takeaways have become hugely popular since the start of the lockdown and there are now a plethora of options thanks to services such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats

Stocking up on versatile basics that have a long shelf life can help, and so can batch cooking and freezing.

Mountford says: ‘Whether it’s tins of baked beans and frozen bread for beans on toast, or ready-made dim sum you can toss into some miso soup, simple ingredients can add up to make a delicious or comforting meal. to do if you can’t be. bothered to make something out of the fridge.”

‘A cheaper and healthier version of a store-bought ready meal – there are some great recipes that you can batch cook and freeze with minimal effort or energy.

“Classic batch cooking recipes include delicious soups, chicken curries or a bolognese sauce.”

Having a few quick and easy recipes to fall back on for those times when you’re short on time can also be a great way to avoid the quick takeout option.

“Have some super easy, favorite recipes that you know you can put together without too much effort from what’s in your cupboard,” says Mountford.

“Whether it’s a one-pan pie with chicken or a simple vegetarian pasta recipe, having a few easy and quick recipes in place will help you alternate for the days when you know you’ll be tired or short on time.”