Takeaway food has become more and more popular as time has gone by. While in the distant past a takeaway was considered a treat for only very special occasions, many of us nowadays don’t think twice about ordering a takeaway at least once a week and for some it is even more often.
Public Health England published information estimating that in 2014 there were over fifty thousand fast food and takeaway outlets and delivery services in England. Over twenty seven percent of adults and a fifth of children are apparently eating from out-of-home food outlets at least once a week.
The beauty of takeaways is that they are so convenient (and usually delicious). Who wants to cook after a hard day’s work when you can just place an order online or by phone and have it delivered in less time than it would take to whip up something yourself? And if you’re not going out at the weekend, having a takeaway makes a night in feel a bit more special. And with takeaways becoming more and more affordable (99p burger anyone?) it’s no longer even considered a luxury by many.
Takeaway Food and Health
Unfortunately though, takeaway meals have a tendency to be much higher in unhealthy fats, sugar and salt so are not necessarily doing our health any good. The portion sizes also tend to be much bigger than those we would normally serve ourselves at home and the rising consumption of takeaways has been identified as a significant contributor to the increasing levels of obesity in this country. Unhealthy takeaway outlets are also tending to cluster nearby to schools, which doesn’t bode well for the future health of our country’s children.
Takeaways don’t have to be unhealthy however, and it’s important that healthier options are offered by outlets to give people the option of making better choices. Healthy food can still offer customers the convenience and tastiness that they’re after from a takeaway without the negative effects on their health.
There are a variety of different aspects to making takeaways healthier. Offering a range of portion sizes (without customers paying over the odds for smaller portions) will enable those who are trying to reduce their calorie intake to do so without feeling like they’re missing out or being overcharged.
Reducing salt, sugar and frying practices will also help to reduce calorie intake as well as lowering the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
It’s not just about what to avoid either. Increasing the content of fruit and vegetables in existing takeout meals, and offering healthy options like salads and other vegetable based meals gives consumers the chance to opt for takeaways that will improve their health rather than making it worse.
The bottom line
Consumers are also becoming a lot more health conscious and savvy about food so offering a wider range of healthier alternatives could also help the bottom line for takeaway outlets. And this is not just true for health conscious adults. With all the press about childhood obesity parents are becoming more vigilant about what they allow their children to eat too. Giving parents options to allow them to treat their children whilst still giving them healthy food could well lead to an increase in profits. Offering healthy takeaway choices is not only good for the consumer, but beneficial for those selling too.
That’s not to see all takeaway food needs to fit this mould. There’s nothing wrong with having the odd treat now and again, that’s part of the appeal, what we are suggesting is offering alternatives so that people have the option.