Fish & chips overtaken by salads on British menus
For years fish & chips has been a staple item on British pub-grub menus but now it has been overtaken by salad, a report has found.
Data from 800 restaurants, pubs and hotels compiled by consumer analyst Horizons, shows a quarter have ditched fish & chips from their menus over the past two years, with the dish slipping from being the third most popular dish in 2011 to the eighth today.
Meanwhile over the past 12 months main-course salads have rocketed to popularity with 54pc of restaurants introducing them as part of their offering this year.
Main-course salads, such as goats’ cheese, tuna, and grilled chicken, are now the fourth most popular dish featured on British menus, despite not featuring in the top 20 last year.
The use of pulses and fruit has also seen a rapid year-on-year increase, with the term “super food” being used 75pc more often than it was this time last year.
Restaurants’ decision to shun fattier options like fish & chips in favour of more virtuous cuisine is thought to be driven by the health trend which is sweeping Britain.
As consumers adopt so-called “clean” lifestyles, restaurants with once-traditional menus are tapping into the trend by ditching beige plates food in favour of colourful, nutritious meals.
A recent report by consumer analyst, Nielsen, showed nearly two thirds (65pc) of Brits say they are cutting down on fats, while 62pc are eating less chocolate and sugary sweets.
Despite this the most popular meals found on British restaurant menus are still burgers and pizzas, which typically contain high levels of fat and salt.
Peter Backman, managing director at Horizons, said: “The trend for healthy and lifestyle eating is becoming more and more popular and high street menus are now reflected this. Operators now have to make a difficult decision about what to keep on their menus. It’s important they stay in touch with what’s hot and what’s not.”
A spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association, which represents pubs in the UK, said: “There has been a tremendous diversification of menus so its not surprising to see some of the classic dishes falling down the list.”
AUTHOR’S TIPS
AmeliaFreer’sguidetohay-fever dosanddon’ts
Low-histamine foods to help reduce hay-fever symptoms:
fresh fish, fresh chicken, eggs, fresh fruits (except strawberries), fresh vegetables, oils, green leafy herbs, herbal teas High-histamine foods that may increase symptoms: alcohol, Smoked meat (ham, salami etc), walnuts and cashew nuts, salty foods, mature cheese, chocolate, sugary foods, foods with artificial colourings