LONDON — More than half of adults are lacking inspiration when it comes to midweek meals, a new survey reveals. In fact, six in 10 eat the same dinner up to four times a week.
The poll of 2,000 British adults revealed that 32 percent frequently plate up a boring meal by the middle of the week, usually due to being tired (44%) or a lack of planning (39%).
Almost half of those 35 and under (47%) don’t usually know what they’re having for dinner until they look at what they’ve got in their cupboards or fridge after work. Meanwhile, 38 percent of people 18 to 24 wait until they’re in the supermarket aisles after work to decide what they’re having that night.
Why are so people eating the same meals day in and day out? The survey finds:
- It’s convenient (56%)
- They’re quick to make (41%)
- It has become a habit (38%)
The research was commissioned by McCain, which has teamed up with Sophie Ellis-Bextor in a bid to rescue people from boring weekday meals with the launch of new Baby Hasselbacks. “If you’re anything like me, midweek meals can get a bit boring and repetitive,” Ellis-Bextor says in a statement. “Research showed that sometimes we all find thinking of tasty and wholesome things to cook midweek challenging.”
A quarter of those polled admitted to being unsure of when they last tried a brand-new recipe from scratch in the middle of the week. Another 20 percent said they sometimes end up settling for mid-week takeout. However, 21 percent often feel guilty about the nutritional value of fast food after eating it.
A third claimed that despite watching numerous cooking videos on social media, they rarely try creating anything new themselves. More than half (58%) find it too much effort to do in the middle of the week, while 44 percent don’t have time.
Another 57 percent said they find it tricky to find the right balance of meals that are both tasty and nutritious. Of those who took part in the study, conducted by OnePoll, 51 percent said they wish they were more inspired in the kitchen.
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