Why are takeaways so bad for your health and the environment?

December 30, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2017 study, children who regularly consume takeaway meals have poorer diet quality and higher cholesterol. But beyond the well-known health issues, many factors explain why are takeaways so bad, from their environmental footprint to the subtle impacts on our mental health. This article dives into the comprehensive reasons behind the downsides of relying on convenience food.

Quick Summary

This article explores the multi-faceted problems associated with frequent takeaway consumption, including significant health risks from poor nutrition, heightened chances of foodborne illnesses, adverse effects on mental well-being, the substantial financial costs compared to home cooking, and the severe environmental consequences of single-use packaging.

Key Points

High in Salt, Sugar, and Fat: Takeaways are typically packed with high levels of these unhealthy ingredients, which can lead to weight gain and chronic disease.
Poor Nutritional Quality: Many takeaway meals lack essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, contributing to a nutritionally unbalanced diet.
Food Safety Risks: The preparation process is often out of sight, increasing the risk of contamination, hygiene issues, and foodborne illnesses.
Significant Environmental Impact: Single-use plastic and styrofoam packaging from takeaways are major contributors to plastic pollution and landfill waste.
Negative Mental Health Effects: Studies link frequent takeaway consumption to increased risks of depression and anxiety.
High Financial Cost: Regularly ordering takeaway is significantly more expensive than preparing meals at home.
Less Control over Ingredients: You have no say in the quality of oil, sauces, and other ingredients used in your meal.
Reinforces Unhealthy Habits: The convenience of takeaway can discourage the development of essential cooking and meal-planning skills.

Nutritional Compromises and the Impact on Your Body

One of the most immediate and significant downsides of frequent takeaway is the compromised nutritional quality. Takeaway meals, particularly fast food, are often engineered for high palatability, which typically means they are loaded with excess salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. A meal from a restaurant can contain significantly more calories, sodium, and saturated fat than a home-cooked equivalent, pushing you well over your recommended daily limits. This overconsumption can lead to a host of health problems over time.

The Silent Toll on Your Health

Frequent consumption of these nutrient-poor, high-calorie meals contributes to several long-term health risks. These include:

Obesity and increased body fatness.
Higher risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular issues due to elevated cholesterol and blood pressure.
Increased systemic inflammation.
Negative impact on memory and learning due to unbalanced diets.
Lower intakes of essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals.

The Dark Side of Convenience: Food Safety Risks

While the convenience of a takeaway is undeniable, it often comes at the cost of food safety assurance. The preparation process for takeaway food is often hidden from the consumer, creating a higher risk of hygiene deficiencies compared to cooking at home.

Potential Food Safety Hazards in Takeaway

Cross-Contamination: The risk of transferring bacteria from raw to cooked foods can be higher in busy, fast-paced kitchen environments.
Improper Storage: If ingredients are not refrigerated correctly or food is left at lukewarm temperatures, it can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
Poor Hygiene: In less-regulated establishments, inconsistent personal hygiene practices among staff can lead to contamination.
Long Delivery Times: Extended delivery times, especially for online orders, can cause food to drop into the 'danger zone' temperature range, where bacteria multiply rapidly.

Environmental Consequences of Takeaway Culture

Our reliance on takeaway and food delivery services has a significant and often overlooked environmental footprint. A major part of this problem is the excessive use of single-use packaging.

Packaging’s Pollution Problem

Plastic Pollution: The persistent use of plastic and styrofoam containers contributes immensely to global plastic pollution, harming marine ecosystems and lingering in landfills for centuries.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The production and disposal of packaging materials, especially plastics, are energy-intensive and release substantial greenhouse gases.
Landfill Waste: Disposable packaging makes up a large percentage of municipal solid waste, and even alternatives like paper and cardboard have environmental impacts related to deforestation and processing.

Mental Health and Financial Strain

Research has linked frequent takeaway food consumption to poorer mental well-being, with studies showing higher risks of depression and anxiety among those who eat out more often. The high sugar and fat content can lead to mood crashes after initial highs, and the reliance on convenience can create a cycle of poor eating habits. Additionally, the financial burden is substantial. A case study published in Forbes suggests that ordering delivery from a restaurant is nearly five times more expensive than cooking at home, and the cost of meals outside the home has been rising faster than grocery prices. This continuous spending can add significant financial stress over time.

Takeaway vs. Home Cooking: A Comparison


Feature	Takeaway/Fast Food	Home Cooking
Nutritional Control	Very low; meals are often high in salt, sugar, and fat.	High; you control ingredients, portion sizes, and cooking methods.
Cost per Meal	Significantly higher, including food costs, delivery fees, and potential tips.	Substantially lower, with ingredients costing a fraction of the final meal price.
Food Safety	Lower visibility of preparation, higher risk of hygiene issues and contamination.	High visibility and control over hygiene standards and food handling.
Environmental Impact	High due to single-use plastics, styrofoam, and excessive packaging.	Very low if using reusable containers and minimizing single-use items.
Mental Health	Associated with higher risks of depression and anxiety, and can reinforce unhealthy eating cycles.	Can be a relaxing, mindful, and rewarding activity linked to better overall mental health.

The Vicious Cycle of Convenience

Ultimately, the appeal of takeaway food—convenience, speed, and taste—can lead to a reliance that creates a negative feedback loop. The initial high from a calorie-dense meal is often followed by a crash, leading to more cravings. This convenience can also discourage the development of cooking skills, perpetuating the dependence on pre-prepared meals. Breaking this cycle involves recognizing the true costs—to your body, your wallet, and the planet—and making more intentional food choices. Cooking at home doesn't have to be a chore; it can be a rewarding and mindful experience that improves your health and happiness.

Conclusion: Making Smarter Choices

The reasons why takeaways are so bad are not limited to a single factor. They encompass significant nutritional shortcomings, risks of foodborne illness, detrimental environmental consequences from excessive packaging, negative impacts on mental health, and considerable financial costs. While an occasional takeaway can be a treat, a lifestyle built around convenience food carries a heavy price. By being mindful of these issues, we can make more informed decisions that prioritize our long-term health, our finances, and the well-being of the planet.

Here is a guide to healthier 'fakeaway' recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, studies consistently show that cooking at home is significantly cheaper. One report found it nearly five times more expensive to order delivery from a restaurant than to prepare the same meal at home, and this gap has been widening.

Frequent consumption of takeaways can lead to obesity, higher cholesterol, increased blood pressure, a greater risk of type 2 diabetes, and other cardiovascular issues due to high intake of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

Frequent takeaway eating has been associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety. The poor nutritional profile can lead to mood swings, and a diet lacking essential nutrients can impact brain function.

Yes. Since you don't see the food preparation, there's a higher risk of issues like cross-contamination, improper ingredient storage, and poor hygiene, which can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Takeaway packaging, especially single-use plastic and styrofoam, is a major source of pollution. It contributes significantly to landfill waste, harms marine life, and the production process releases greenhouse gases.

It is difficult but not impossible. You can look for options with lower fat and sodium content, smaller portion sizes, and more vegetables. However, homemade meals give you complete control over all ingredients.

Yes, many takeaway and fast food meals are low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They often displace healthier options like fruits and vegetables from your diet, leading to nutritional deficiencies over time.

Planning your meals in advance, learning to cook simple meals, using leftovers, and even trying 'fakeaway' recipes that replicate your favorite dishes at home can significantly reduce your dependence on takeaway food.