New research from the leading surplus food marketplace Too Good To Go, has revealed Brits are suffering from a new kind of modern affliction of “dinner decision fatigue.”
The research shows that one in ten Brits admit the sheer number of food choices available leads them to order a takeaway instead of cooking, with one in five saying they spend up to £600 a year on takeaways.
Yet at the same time, households are still spending heavily on groceries. More than one in five (26 per cent) say they spend over £3,600 per year on their food shop, alone. This equals almost £70 a week and more than the £44 per week, per person, UK average.
It’s not a lack of enthusiasm for cooking that’s the issue, but a lack of confidence in the kitchen. Around one in five people say they’ve avoided cooking a dish because the ingredients or instructions felt overwhelming, while 20 per cent say they weren’t taught enough practical cooking skills growing up.
This combination can lead to food being left uneaten or simply thrown away. Nearly a quarter (23%) say overbuying is a key contributor to food waste in their household, followed by poor planning (22%), and lack of time (16%).
The findings come as the UK continues to waste an estimated 6 million tonnes of food each year, costing households roughly £700 annually.
Viral recipe trends adding to kitchen pressure
Social media has become a major source of cooking inspiration, but trending recipes may also be contributing to the food waste problem.
Too Good To Go’s research also found that 41% of Brits have tried making a viral or trending recipe and been disappointed with the result, often after buying several new ingredients specifically for the dish.
To help households cook with more confidence and waste less in the process, Too Good To Go has partnered with chef and ‘food waste disruptor’ Martyn Odell (Lagomchef) during this year’s Food Waste Action Week.
Known for his high-energy cooking content and zero-waste approach, Martyn creates tasty, flexible meals for his 1.2 million followers on TikTok but simplifies them so they are achievable using ingredients people already have at home.
Martyn said: “As a chef food creator I know there’s loads of inspiration shared online. It’s great that people want to try new things, but when recipes feel complicated or don’t work out and you’re left with a load of niche ingredients, it can feel like you’ve flambéed your weekly budget alongside your dinner.
“The real game-changer is learning how to make the most of the food you’ve already bought. When you plan a little better and cook with confidence, you cut the stress, save money and reduce waste.”
It’s not all bad news; the research also shows many Brits are motivated to waste less food. Two fifths (41%) say they would cook more meals from scratch if it helped them save money, while 59% say saving money is their main motivation for reducing food waste.
Martyn’s advice is to keep cooking simple and focus on a few practical habits:
●Think before you shop - plan a few meals first so you’re not making dinner decisions in the supermarket aisle.
●Buy with purpose - grab what you need, not a trolley full of “just in case” ingredients or offers.
●Cook what’s already there - your fridge and cupboards are full of possibilities if you get a little creative.
●Make leftovers work harder - batch it, freeze it, and give it a proper second life later in the week.
●And the golden rule? Eat the food you buy! The easiest way to cut waste is simply by enjoying what’s already in your kitchen.
Chelsea Kerr, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Too Good To Go, said: “Many of us recognise that feeling of getting home after a long day and struggling with what to eat, especially when trying to balance something you want with something that works within your budget.
“When cooking starts to feel complicated or overwhelming, it can lead to overbuying and more food going to waste.
“At Too Good To Go we want to help people feel more confident about using the food they already have, making it easier to save money and prevent perfectly good food from ending up in the bin.”
As part of Food Waste Action Week, Too Good To Go is encouraging households to ditch complicated recipes and cook smarter, planning ahead and making the most of the food they buy.