The nation’s changing food habits over a decade

With the New Year in full swing, many Brits are facing the reality of their health and wellbeing resolutions.

Each year brings new diet trends and with that in mind, Express has looked at changing food habits between 2008 – 2018, to determine the nation’s favourite and least favourite foods, using the latest data from the government’s Family Food Survey*.

Of the 539 foods and drinks analysed, Express found dried milk products to be the most popular over the 10 years between 2008 – 2018, with an overall consumption increase of 498.14 percent. Consumption spiked in 2018, hitting 13 grams per person per week on average – likely due to its long shelf-life and cost-saving benefits, plus its use in coffee machines.

White bread, soft grain, sliced and unsliced, ranked in second place, with a percentage increase of 268.95 percent over the ten-year span. It’s another product that gained popularity in 2018, with 6 grams consumed per person per week on average over the year.

Champagne, sparkling wines and wine with mixer completes the top three, with a 213.03 percent increase over the ten-year period. Like the rest of the top three, its popularity peaked in 2018, with 25 grams consumed per person per week.

Prosecco gained popularity in the UK in the wake of the 2007 financial crash, thanks to its similarities with champagne but more competitive price. Since then, the drink has become a staple at special occasions, bottomless-brunches, cocktail hours and food festivals. Its popularity has even been linked to the return of the 1980s favourite, Aperol Spritz.

However, despite 560 million bottles being exported to the UK from Italy in 2018 , sales of prosecco have fallen by 6 percent, with champagne regaining the top spot in the ‘battle of the bubblies’.

Another big mover in the decade between 2008 – 2018 was non-dairy milk substitutes. This coincides with an increase in Brits following a vegan diet over the same period. Plus, with research suggesting between 1-2 people in 10 are lactose intolerant, it’s no surprise the sale of alternatives to traditional dairy milk has risen 143.46 percent.

Completing the top ten are Ox liver, Frozen fruit, Cooked rice, Peanut Butter, Other green vegetables and Takeaway fish-based meals respectively.

On the other hand, starch reduced bread and rolls were the least popular products of the last ten years, with a 66.86 percent decrease in consumption over the ten-year period.

Takeaway miscellaneous meats (2^nd), takeaway meat pies and pasties (6^th), lamb chops (7^th), lambs’ liver (8^th) and mutton (9^th) all feature in the bottom 10 products, again suggesting a move towards meat-free diets for many Brits.