If you’ve ordered a takeaway recently, you’ll know that they’re far from a cheap option these days. A new UK‑wide poll* has revealed the true cost of the nation’s fast‑food habits – and the numbers are eye‑opening.
The real cost of convenience
The research showed…
- 60% of people spend up to £50 a week on takeaways and high‑fat, high‑sugar convenience foods.
- Almost a third (29%) spend over £100 a month on frozen items like nuggets and chips.
- A third (33%) are shocked when they realise how much they’re spending.
- Nearly half (47%) believe they’d save a significant amount by cutting back…
- …yet one in five (20%) don’t feel confident cooking from scratch.
And that matters – because while cooking from home can be a great way to save, it’s also a key step towards feeling more in control and set up for long-term weight loss success.
More on the blog: Browse our menu of fakeaway favourites – Slimming World recipes with all the taste of a takeout!
Why home cooking wins
Those who swap the takeaway menu for their own kitchen say they:
- save money (46%)
- feel healthier (40%)
- enjoy cooking more (33%)
- see their family eating better (29%)
- have more energy (17%)
And Slimming World members tell us the same story every week – plus a few brilliant bonuses, from new-found kitchen confidence to healthy habits that last for life.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to cost more
With food inflation still squeezing households, it’s easy to assume that eating well means spending more. But Slimming World’s healthy eating plan is built around everyday ingredients – the kind you can often find reduced – with no need for specialist products, shakes or supplements. Just simple, satisfying food that fills you up and fits your budget.
In a separate survey of over 1,500 Slimming World members**, the financial impact was clear:
- Before joining Slimming World, 88% were spending up to £100 a week on takeaways and convenience foods.
- Since joining, 39% said they’d stopped buying these altogether.
- That change alone could save more than £5,000 a year – while supporting healthier eating habits.
That’s a life‑changing saving, wrapped inside a life‑changing lifestyle.
More on the blog: Healthy meals to help you save while you slim
Whitley’s story: “I’ve lost weight and saved a small fortune!”
Whitley Lloyd knows exactly how transformative this shift can be. Since joining her Slimming World group in Brecon, she’s lost 5st (31.7kg) and saved hundreds of pounds on takeaway meals.
Whitley says: “Before Slimming World, I’d barely eat during the day, only to end up having takeaways and snacks late at night. I was spending up to £500 a month! Now I cook healthy, tasty meals using low-price everyday ingredients.
My Consultant, Jo, supported me with simple strategies like having go-to recipes ready for the week, and planning for my danger times. Slimming World gave me back my spark, my confidence and helped me save a small fortune while losing weight.”
Alex Clark, a registered nutritionist at Slimming World, says: “So many of us are juggling busy lives and tight budgets, so it’s completely understandable that convenience foods and takeaways can feel like the easiest option. Some might believe they’re the cheaper option, too, when in fact cooking from scratch can be just as convenient, far more fulfilling and significantly less expensive.
Small changes can lead to big savings and even bigger health benefits. Whitley’s journey shows that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make a real difference – just the right encouragement and support.”
A healthier, more affordable alternative
At a time when costly weight loss medications are everywhere, stories like Whitley’s show the value of a different approach – one built on behaviour change, habit‑building and long‑term support.
A month of weight loss medication can cost about the same as a full year of Slimming World membership. And for almost six decades, Slimming World has been helping members lose weight, improve their health and transform their lives – without putting added pressure on household budgets.
When you join, you’ll unlock access to thousands of easy-to-follow recipes, with personalised support to help build your cooking confidence while forming healthier habits for you and your family. We’ll help you cut the cost of convenience and reap the rewards of home cooking, while getting the lasting weight loss result you want.
More for members: Explore the budget-friendly features and recipes on our member website and app…
Food Optimise on a budget: 10 ways to slim and save!
Brilliant batch-cooking recipes
Slim and save with Slimming World
Slimming World groups and our online Community are full of money-saving meal ideas to help you manage your budget during your weight loss journey – as well as expert support and science-backed strategies to help you overcome every slimming hurdle.
*Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,000 general respondents across the UK between 11.03.2026 and 16.03.2026.
**Research conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,656 Slimming World members between 11.03.2026 and 17.03.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.