More than one in four clash with others over what’s for dinner at least once a week, study finds

MORE than one in four adults clash with others over what to have for dinner at least once a week, according to a study. A poll of 2,000 adults found a quarter find it to be the most stressful decision of the day, with 55 per cent debating face-to-face and 26% using text or WhatsApp. A third are put off by the effort required to cook Credit: SWNS Nearly one in 10 even resort to social media conversations to decide the evening meal plan Credit: SWNS While nearly one in 10 even resort to social media conversations to decide the evening meal plan. Of those who converse over text, an average of four messages are sent – with one in 20 sending at least 11 – before settling on what to eat. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The top sticking point was found to be one person ‘craving’ something different to the other (37% ), while 35% bemoaned repeating the same meals. Others disagreed after one person claimed not to know what they wanted or claiming they ‘don’t mind’ (34%), someone not wanting to cook (30%) or trying to decide between homecooked or a takeaway (21%). Jeremy Gibson, spokesperson for Napolina, which commissioned the research to launch its first Pasta Stir Ins, said: “By the time dinner comes around, many households have already spent the day making decisions. “When you then add different tastes, tiredness, and a lack of inspiration, with ‘what’s for dinner’ it can become a difficult question. “The research shows that people still want to enjoy a satisfying meal at home, but they do not always have the time or energy for a long recipe and lots of preparation. “Having a quick way to bring flavour to the table is exactly what you need for those nights.” Most read in The Sun The study found 37% of all adults find deciding what to have for dinner generally stressful, with a lack of inspiration and ideas the main reason for disliking the task (35%). A third are put off by the effort required to cook while 31% struggle after a long day at work. More than one in 10 (12% ) even went as far as to say they feel overwhelmed when it comes to deciding what to eat. As a result, 48% admit they often default to a go-to, easy meal while 41% have even resorted to eating the same meal they had the night before. The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed just 17% typically map out meals at the weekend, with 28% leaving it until the last-minute to decide their meal plans. It also emerged only 14% of adults cook from scratch every day. More than half of those who don’t (54%) are put off if a recipe takes too long, while 39% abandon the idea altogether when it involves too much preparation. This is leaving 35% falling back on the same meals – with pasta (53%), curries (24%) and jacket potatoes (20%) topping the list. On the whole, almost half (48%) just want something quick and easy when it comes to cooking during the week. Jeremy added: “Convenience does not have to mean settling for something uninspiring or compromising on quality. “Having a few simple options in the cupboard can help households escape the same-meal cycle and spend less time debating dinner and more time enjoying it with friends or family.” Comment now