Young people living in cities are eating up to 25 takeaways a month and spending about £2,620 a year, a survey claims.
People aged 25 to 34 are the biggest consumers of fast food with 49 per cent of them saying they rely on takeaways because they don’t have the time or inclination to cook at home.The figures from a survey of 2,000 adults are a slap in the face for chefs such as Jamie Oliver who have championed cooking using raw ingredients.
Discount website vouchercodes.co.uk found those living in the capital are the biggest fast food addicts.
Londoners spend £221.63 a month, more than double the national average, every month.
Those living in Chelmsford, Essex, are the thriftiest spending just £43.19 on meals they haven’t prepared themselves each month. In contrast, those aged 45 and over spend half that, about £1,270 pounds every twelve months.
Doctors warn that relying on a takeaway-based diet increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardio-vascular problems.
But saving time seems far more important to young people.
Ben Hardings, 26, a sales assistant from Portsmouth is a typical takeaway lover. ‘After working a late shift it takes a lot of effort to prepare a meal when I get home,’ he said.
‘It is so much easier to pick up the phone and order an Indian or a kebab, and they taste really good, too.’
Duncan Jennings, co-founder of vouchercodes, said: ‘Takeaways are now a part of everyday life for busy consumers. But they do not need to be unhealthy or expensive.’
Top 10 of the nation’s favourite takeaways:
1. Chinese – 25%
2 Indian – 23%
3. Fish and chips – 22%
4. Pizza – 14%
5. Southern Fried Chicken – 4%
6. Kebab – 4%
7. Thai – 2%
8. Burger – 2%
9. Sushi – 1%
10. Italian – 1%
