Kate Hardcastle MBE on our love for canned foods

Imagine this: it’s lunchtime, and once again, you’re staring at the same sandwich or salad you’ve had for the past year. Sound familiar? You’re not alone! A recent survey has uncovered that more than half of UK parents are trapped in this same lunch cycle, eating the same thing day in and day out. But it’s not just adults stuck in a food rut—many are passing on this monotony to their kids too.

According to research from Love Canned Foods, 51% of parents living in Essex are eating identical or similar lunches every weekday, and some have been doing so for over a year. Even more telling, 34% are feeding the same meals to their children. For many families, lunchtime has become a routine devoid of excitement, with little variety or inspiration.

This lack of variety isn’t just about what’s on your plate—it can affect how you feel. We all know the dreariness of eating the same meal over and over again. It’s no surprise that 19% of parents admitted they feel stuck when it comes to thinking of new lunch ideas. In fact, the mealtime rut is so bad that 15% of children are calling their lunches “boring!” When your kids start losing interest in their food, it’s a sign that it’s time for a change.

Aston spoke to consumer expert Kate Hardcastle MBE.

Photo by Gabre Cameron on Unsplash