LAZY COOKS Brits are eating more takeaways since Covid as calories per week revealed – how do you compare?

The Institute for Fiscal Studies suggested we now eat more takeaways than we would if lockdown hadn't happened

BRITS scoff 50 per cent more takeaway than we did before the pandemic, a report found.

Lockdowns gave us an appetite for enjoying a curry, Chinese or kebab on the sofa because we could not go to pubs or restaurants.

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Phone apps and delivery riders mean getting takeaway is easier than everCredit: Alamy

The Institute for Fiscal Studies found each of us now eats an average of 400 calories per week from fast food shops and deliveries, compared to 270 per week in 2019.

Experts fear the change will make us fatter than ever.

Andrew McKendrick, IFS economist and author of the report, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic saw huge changes in where households’ calories came from. 

“Lockdowns and hospitality closures left a bigger role for consumption of food at home and for takeaways.”He said we also ate more calories overall during the virus crisis but that our shopping baskets have since gone back to normal.

As a nation we eat too much for our own good

Tam FryNational Obesity Forum

The IFS used data from between 2019 and the first three months of 2022 and said there was a “drastic shift towards purchasing more out-of-home calories from fast food and takeaways”.

It added: “This is significantly higher than might have been expected if takeaways had continued their pre-pandemic path.”

The IFS admitted things may have changed again during the cost of living crisis since the study ended.Uber-style food delivery apps like Deliveroo and Just Eat mean millions of people in the UK can get food from any kitchen on the high street from the comfort of their sofa.

Takeaways are often higher in fat, sugar and salt than food cooked at home, so raise the risk of weight gain.

Millions of Brits are overweight or obese and our bulging waistlines are driving up cases of cancer, heart diseases and dementia.

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: “Eating more takeaways makes you more likely to gain weight and as a nation we eat too much for our own good.

“Two in three of us are obese or overweight but the Government has put off any help to stop us over-eating until late next year so the onus is on us to try to regain a healthy weight.

“It does not matter if the increased calories are from takeaways or not - calories are calories and too many are plain unhealthy.”

The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight

FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss.

But burning fat can be easy and mostly free.

In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all...

1. Don't skip breakfast
   Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry.
2. Eat regular meals
   Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar.
3. Eat plenty of fruit and veg
   Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.
4. Get more active
   Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone.
5. Drink lots of water
   People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need.
6. Eat high fibre foods
   Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils.
7. Read food labels
   Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan.
8. Use a smaller plate
   Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full.
9. Don't ban foods
   Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance.
10. Don't stock junk food
    To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice.
11. Cut down on alcohol
    A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain.
12. Plan your meals
    Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list