Are eating habits in the UK becoming healthier? The complete picture

December 14, 2025 •

3 min read

According to recent reports, healthier foods in the UK became more than twice as expensive per calorie as less healthy foods in the last two years, raising questions about whether eating habits in the UK are becoming healthier despite increased health consciousness among consumers. This complex situation features some progress mixed with persistent challenges.

Quick Summary

This analysis of UK dietary trends examines the mixed legacy of the pandemic, ongoing struggles with rising food costs, and the impact of ultra-processed foods on health. It assesses public health measures and evolving consumer attitudes.

Key Points

Mixed Progress: While some UK consumers show greater health awareness and cooking skills post-pandemic, significant challenges remain, especially regarding inequalities and diet quality.
UPF Prevalence: The UK has one of the highest consumptions of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) in Europe, driven by convenience and cost, linked to poorer health outcomes.
Cost of Living Impact: The economic crisis has forced many families, particularly those on low incomes, to compromise on nutrition by choosing cheaper, less healthy food options.
Dietary Inequality: Deprived areas continue to face higher rates of obesity and food insecurity, with the cost of a healthy diet being disproportionately high for the poorest households.
Government Intervention: Ongoing government efforts like reformulation and advertising restrictions have yielded limited, mixed results, with some critics calling for more decisive policy action.
Gen Z Health Drivers: Younger consumers are increasingly motivated by holistic health and wellness, driving trends towards plant-based foods, but still face hurdles like convenience and cost.
Takeaway Culture: The pandemic cemented a higher reliance on takeaways and delivery services, a habit that has persisted beyond lockdowns for many, affecting overall diet composition.

The Post-Pandemic Legacy: A Mixed Bag for UK Diets

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered UK eating patterns. While lockdowns initially led to more home cooking and some reporting healthier choices, there was also an increase in unhealthy snacking and a surge in takeaway and food delivery use that persisted post-pandemic. This has resulted in a lasting dietary legacy where takeaways are a more frequent part of the national diet for certain households.

The Lingering Impact of the Cost of Living Crisis

The cost of living crisis has posed a major obstacle to healthy eating, as rising food prices have disproportionately impacted lower-income households. Healthier foods have become significantly more expensive, forcing many families to choose cheaper, less nutritious options. This economic pressure means many are cutting back on essential healthy items like fruit and vegetables.

Dietary Inequalities and Access

Food insecurity and its impact on diet quality are not evenly spread across the UK. Deprived areas face higher rates of obesity and limited access to affordable healthy food. The cost of a healthy diet is considerably higher as a proportion of income for the poorest compared to the wealthiest, highlighting widening dietary inequalities linked to socioeconomic status.

The Pervasive Influence of Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) remain a prominent feature of the UK diet, accounting for over half of the average person's energy intake. These products, often high in fat, salt, and sugar, have been linked to various negative health outcomes. Compared to mainland Europe, UK consumers show lower awareness and concern about UPFs, partly due to viewing them as convenient and cheaper options.

UK vs. EU Eating Habits: A Comparative View

Examining UK eating habits in contrast to other European nations provides valuable perspective:


Feature	UK Position	European (EU) Position	Key Difference	Source
UPF Consumption	High, around 56% of daily energy from UPFs.	Generally lower, e.g., 10% in Italy.	Higher reliance on processed foods.	UK Parliament
'5-a-day' Consumption	Leads some Western nations at 33% of adults (late 2023), but still low.	Average is often lower, e.g., 12% in Greece.	Better public health messaging success, but overall intake poor.	The Telegraph
Attitude to UPFs	Less concerned and more accepting; sees them as convenient/cheap.	Higher awareness and more negative perception.	Differences in consumer understanding and value placed on processing level.	The Grocer
Convenience Food Spending	Increased spending on convenience foods over fresh.	Varying trends, less reliance on processed ready-meals.	Shift towards convenience foods since the 1980s is more pronounced in the UK.	YouTube

Is the UK Diet Really Getting Healthier?

Despite the challenges, a rising consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable options is driving some positive changes. Government and industry initiatives aimed at improving the nutritional profile of foods and promoting healthy eating continue, though often face criticism for limited effectiveness or slow progress. A growing focus on holistic wellness, particularly among younger demographics, is influencing diet choices. However, the cost and accessibility of these healthier options remain significant barriers, and widening dietary inequalities mean that for many, socioeconomic factors heavily dictate food choices, often overriding health aspirations.

In conclusion, the overall picture of UK eating habits is complex and not simply a trend towards universal healthiness. While some individuals are making healthier choices and there's a growing interest in wellness and sustainability, significant portions of the population face considerable obstacles. The combined effects of the pandemic's lingering impact, the cost of living crisis, and the widespread presence of ultra-processed foods create an environment where a healthy diet is often unaffordable for many. {Link: IFS.org https://ifs.org.uk/publications/longer-term-impacts-covid-19-pandemic-dietary-purchasing-choices-british-households}

Frequently Asked Questions

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially formulated products containing ingredients rarely used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial flavourings. Examples include many ready meals, packaged snacks, and fizzy drinks.

The cost of living crisis has pushed many families, especially those with lower incomes, towards cheaper, less nutritious processed foods. Healthier options like fresh fruit and vegetables have become more expensive, leading to financial compromises on diet.

The pandemic had a mixed impact. While some people increased home cooking and made healthier main meals, there was also a rise in unhealthy snacking and takeaway consumption. The takeaway trend has persisted at elevated levels post-lockdown.

A 2024 survey showed that UK shoppers are less concerned about processed food than their European counterparts. Brits tend to perceive UPFs as more convenient and cheaper, leading to higher consumption rates compared to the EU average.

Government policies like reformulation programs and HFSS promotion restrictions are ongoing. However, critics argue that voluntary targets are insufficient, and the cost of living crisis has created new barriers that undermine these efforts.

The '5-a-day' target recommends consuming five or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily. While the UK leads some Western countries in meeting this goal, the overall rate is still low, and consumption has stalled despite long-running campaigns.

Dietary inequalities are closely linked to obesity. Individuals in the most deprived socioeconomic areas have significantly higher obesity prevalence compared to more affluent areas. Higher food insecurity and reliance on cheap, unhealthy food contribute to this widening gap.