One in four Brits (26%) admit they generate a “lot” of food waste – with bread (26%) and bags of salad (28%) among the top ingredients going to waste each month.
The top reasons for food going to waste include ingredients going out of date, and a case of eyes being bigger than their stomachs when cooking.
But more than half (52%), of the 2,000 adults polled, are simply not aware of the recommended portion sizes for various dishes – and 23% are guilty of cooking portions that are too big.
One in five struggle the most when judging the correct portion sizes for spaghetti Bolognese, or pasta in general (19%) – followed by roast dinner (15%) and stew (13%).
But 37% are of the opinion it’s better to serve up more food than is needed, rather than less.
A spokesman for long-life bakery brand, Baker Street, which commissioned the research ahead of Food Waste Action Week, said: “We’ve all been guilty of cooking too much, or not finishing a plateful, and the research shows many reasons why we unintentionally create food waste.
“Whether it’s missing the “best before dates”, confusion over ingredients, simply guessing, or thinking you’re cooking for a group before people start dropping out of dinnertime – it’s easily done.
“With the cost-of-living crisis impacting us all, and a greater awareness of the impact of food waste on climate change, it’s more important than ever to watch what we’re buying, serving up, and putting in the bin.”
The research also found people feel annoyed (31%), frustrated (20%), and ashamed (15%) when they generate food waste.
Almost half (47%) know it’s an important issue for the world, and 46% don’t like wasting expensive food or ingredients in particular.
More than a third (34%) think more needs to be done to raise awareness of food waste, and one in ten would like to reduce the amount they personally create, but don’t know how.
But 29% said the cost-of-living crisis has made them more aware of the ingredients and meals they personally waste.
It also emerged that during the typical week, households generate food waste on an average of three days.
In a bid to reduce it, 27% have tested out measuring tools such as a spaghetti measurer, and 23% have used plates as a guide.
The spokesman for Baker Street, which has more information here on food waste and how to combat it, added: “Bread is one of the most wasted food items, with more than a quarter (26%) throwing it away regularly.
“Our products are packed to last longer – and this year, we are supporting Food Waste Action Week with top tips, leftover recipe inspiration, and savings ideas, to help the one in ten who admit they would like to reduce their food waste, but don’t know how.”
Among the ingredients people waste at least once a month are bags of salad (28%), bread (26%), and potatoes (21%).
But those polled, via OnePoll, go to greater lengths to avoid wasting meat (33%), fish (25%), and vegetables (24%).
Instead of throwing it away, 24% have re-used food in a way which doesn’t involve eating it – including as a plant fertiliser (18%) and a face scrub (8%).
However, more than a third of Brits (35%) admit to disposing of their food waste in a regular rubbish bin.
TOP 10 REASONS BRITS GENERATE FOOD WASTE:
- Ingredients go out of date
- Eyes bigger than their belly
- Family/household members change their plans and aren't home for the meal
- I never know what is the “correct” portion size
- It's better to have too much food than not enough
- The meal was inedible e.g. didn't cook properly
- I follow a recipe which serves more people than I'm cooking for
- I don't plan meals for the week ahead of shopping
- I struggle guessing ingredient amounts
- Lack of time to accurately measure out ingredients
