This study involved a nationally representative online survey of over 1,000 Irish consumers who charted their evening eating habits, resulting in a sample of 5,925 adult and 1,841 child evening meals collected over seven consecutive days.
Facts uncovered by the study:
- Potatoes are at the heart of many evening meals in Ireland (28%), with consumption increasing significantly for over 45s.
- 1 in 10 evening meals contain eggs, with consumption particularly high amongst under 35’s, highlighting their desire for protein and preference for lighter meals.
- Almost 3 in 10 (28%) of all evening meals include bread.
- Over three quarters of grocery shoppers use Irish produce wherever possible, with the perception that it is worth paying more significantly higher (up 10%) than 2011.
- There has been an 8% decline in dessert incidence with evening meals for adults since 2011, to 16% in 2019. Over 2 in 10 (21%) of children’s evening meals include a dessert, but this has fallen 10% since 2011.
- Tap water is the most common drink accompaniment for both adult (36%) and children’s (29%) evening meals.
- For adults, both milk and wine are consumed less than they were in 2011, while for children milk consumption with evening meals has fallen by 11% since 2011.
- Chinese food is the most popular takeaway choice in Ireland, while pizza is the most popular home delivery choice.
- Almost 7 in 10 (67%) of all takeaway and delivery food orders take place online.
