FDBusiness.com

Despite the economic gloom, the UK is still a nation with an appetite for a takeaway – with the average person spending at least £110 on breakfast, lunch and dinner out of the house every month, according to the latest research from VoucherCodes.co.uk.

London steals the top spot as the nation’s takeaway capital, with the average Londoner chowing down on as many as 13 takeaways and six meals out each month at an average cost of £221.63 – more than double the national spend. Nearby Chelmsford residents emerge as amongst the thriftiest in the country however, spending just £43.19 on meals they haven’t prepared themselves.

Men are the biggest fast food fiends, with the average male splurging on 151 takeaway and restaurant meals every year; 25 more than women. And while women are four times as likely to order dishes like sushi, men prefer to opt for the unhealthier classics – with fish and chips, curry and Chinese the top choices. 

Despite being the first choice for men, fish and chips has slipped from the takeaway top spot overall – overtaken by Chinese and Indian food in the list of the nation’s favourite takeaways.

25-34 year olds are the biggest consumers of takeaways with 49 per cent of young professionals claiming they rely on takeaways because they don’t have the time or inclination to cook at home. The habit costs them a staggering £2,626.92 each year – double the amount spent by people aged 45 and over. 

Duncan Jennings, co-founder of VoucherCodes.co.uk, says: “Takeaway meals are now part of everyday life for busy consumers and eating on the fly no longer needs to be an unhealthy or expensive option. Britain has always been a nation of food lovers, and with nearly every type of cuisine available on the go throughoutBritain’s city centres, it no surprise to see consumers forking out so much on food each year.”

UK’s Top 10 Takeaway Favourites

1 Chinese

2 Indian

3 Fish and chips

4 Pizza

5 Southern Fried Chicken

6 Kebab

7 Thai

8 Burger

9 Sushi

10 Italian