From builder’s tea to oat milk coffee, how British family eating habits have changed since WW2

New data shows how the British diet has changed over the last 85 years – as global tastes and demands for heathier food change what’s on our plates.

The National Food Survey has been asking around 4,000 to 5,000 families to write down what they buy each week since 1940. The latest results for 2023/24 show huge changes in variety in just three generations.

Salmon sandwiches, tinned fruit with evaporated milk, fish on Fridays and ham salad for high tea on Sundays were staples for families in the 1950s.

Since then, British diets have changed significantly – with families becoming less dependent on bread. In the 1940s, households ate around 1.6kg of bread per person per week (two whole standard sliced loaves), whereas in the 2020s it is around 500g. Rice, pasta and other grains have inc