More than one in four adults clash over what to eat for dinner at least once a week, according to a poll of 2,000 adults. The research found a quarter think deciding what to have for dinner is the most stressful decision of their day, with 37% of all adults finding it generally stressful.
How Brits debate dinner
More than half of people (55%) debate over what to eat face-to-face, while a further quarter have taken to text. Nearly one in 10 even resort to social media conversations to decide the evening meal plan. Of those who take the debate to text, an average of four messages are sent before they settle on what to eat – however one in 20 send at least 11 messages to their household.
More than one in 10 (12%) said they feel overwhelmed when it comes to deciding what to eat. The top sticking points that cause arguments were found to be one person ‘craving’ something different to the other (37%), while 35% bemoaned repeating the same meals. Others disagreed after one person claimed not to know what they wanted or claiming they ‘don’t mind’ what they eat (34%). Someone not wanting to cook (30%) or trying to decide between homecooked or a takeaway (21%) also stirred up trouble.
Stress factors and coping mechanisms
A lack of inspiration and ideas was the main reason for disliking the task (35%). A third are also put off by the effort it takes to cook, while 31% struggle after a long day at work. As a result, 48% admit they often default to a go-to, easy meal, while 41% have even resorted to eating the leftovers from the night before.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed just 17% typically plan their meals at the weekend, with 28% leaving it until the last-minute to decide their meal plans. It emerged just 14% of adults cook from scratch every day. More than half of those who don’t (54%) are put off if a recipe takes too long, while 39% abandon the idea altogether when it involves too much preparation. This is leaving 35% falling back on the same meals - with pasta (53%), curries (24%) and jacket potatoes (20%) topping the list.
Quick and easy solutions
On the whole, almost half (48%) just want something quick and easy when it comes to cooking during the week. Jeremy Gibson, spokesperson for Napolina, which commissioned the research to launch its first Pasta Stir Ins, said: “By the time dinner comes around, many households have already spent the day making decisions. When you then add different tastes, tiredness, and a lack of inspiration, with 'what’s for dinner’ it can become a difficult question.”
He added: “The research shows that people still want to enjoy a satisfying meal at home, but they do not always have the time or energy for a long recipe and lots of preparation. Having a quick way to bring flavour to the table is exactly what you need for those nights.”
Jeremy Gibson added: “Convenience does not have to mean settling for something uninspiring or compromising on quality. Having a few simple options in the cupboard can help households escape the same-meal cycle and spend less time debating dinner and more time enjoying it with friends or family.”
