Survey Finds 81% of UK Adults Changed Food Habits Due to Rising Costs

An annual survey of 2,080 UK adults found that 81% have changed their food habits because of rising costs. The share reached 89% among households with two children. The poll recorded that 45% of respondents across all age groups said expensive ingredients discouraged them from trying new dishes.

Among retirees, 38% reported switching to more energy-efficient cooking methods such as air fryers to reduce energy bills.

Daily routines Sixty-one percent of adults said they now eat the same breakfast every day, while 38% said they regularly eat the same lunch. Five percent of respondents aged 25 to 34 said ordering a takeaway counted as cooking.

Planning measures Forty-two percent of respondents said they now plan meals in advance to save money, and 25% said they benefit from batch cooking. The survey was conducted online between May 8 and 11.