In Labs, panellists discussed their favourite meal of the day.
- A large proportion of panellists said that their favourite meal of the day was dinner.
- Those panellists who said breakfast was their favourite meal of the day said it set them up for the rest of the day and refreshed them for the day’s coming events.
- Panellist’s least favourite meal of the day was lunch, with many seeing it as too rushed and stressful, due to the nature of the working day.
Why was dinner panellist’s favourite meal of the day?
- Panellists gave three explanations as to why dinner was their unanimous favourite meal of the day.
- Most people in this group said that dinner was their favourite meal of the day as it provided a time for leisure and relaxation.
- Other people noted that dinner was their favourite meal of the day as it was a chance to spend quality time with family and friends. Other panellists said that dinner provided larger quantities of food and better quality, with more time spent preparing the food.
Why was dinner pannelist's favourite meal of the day?
Click on the titles below to read quotes from participants representing the views expressed in the discussion)
Viewpoint 1 - Leisure & relaxation:
“No pressure to finish quickly to rush to work. Eat at a leisurely pace with my family (or friends if I'm out for dinner) with no interruptions” Anon
“It is the only meal where I can actually sit at the table and enjoy eating it in a relaxed way with no time-constraints. I love cooking and the preparation of a lovely meal for myself and my partner is a nice way to end the day. Even when I was working full-time and not getting home until sixish in the evening, we always had a home-cooked meal made by me. I found the preparation and cooking of it is quite therapeutic after a stressful working day. I feel the same now I have much more time on my hands. Being in the kitchen and preparing a lovely meal that we will both enjoy is a special time for me” Anon
“In a busy full time job, dinner is really the only meal I get to enjoy at leisure. I actually enjoy cooking dinner for me and my small family, even though I often cook different meals for us all. An after work restaurant dinner with friends is also a real treat, both for the social aspect and to allow someone else to cook for me for a change” Anon
“Because there tend to be more options of what to make for dinner and so it is more diverse and interesting. I also enjoy hot meals, and dinner tends to involve the whole family whereas I eat lunch and breakfast alone” Anon
“It is an opportunity to relax at the end of a hard day’s work” Anon
“You relax as a family” Anon
“It’s nice to relax at the end of the day with an appetising meal and glass of wine” Anon
“It's after work and you can relax after you've eaten. You don't need to rush this meal or grab something on the move” Pam W, Oldham
“More time to relax and enjoy the company and food” Jeanette, Liverpool
“I enjoy a nice relaxing meal with my wife at the end of the day” Anon
“Able to relax after work, no need to hurry” Anon
Viewpoint 2 - Social aspects:
“Sit down and eat with my husband” AJ, Derbyshire
“Sit with family in a relaxed way to enjoy” Kenneth
“It’s not just the food it's sitting at home at a table with the family instead of at your desk, or on the move like lunch and breakfast are” Katrina, Leeds
“Because I have time to make something nice, sit down and eat and share with others” H, Yorkshire
“More time to chat and socialize, take time to enjoy the meal” Anon
“It is the only meal I get to sit down with my family” Anon
Viewpoint 3 - Quality & Quantity:
“It's my main meal and is therefore more varied and involves more effort” Claire, Nottinghamshire
“More choice. I can't stand eating in the morning. Usually have dessert and feel more relaxed” Anon
“More option of food to choose from and it's nice to relax after a meal” Chelsea, Manchester
“You can eat more without feeling guilty and there are more choices” Mel, Kent
“Dinner feels like the culinary crown. It is a chance to enjoy a wide range of tastes and textures, with the most likelihood of a different meal each day compared to other meal occasions which can be rather similar. At its best, it is Sunday night dinner with three courses, with the middle course of a good roast and potatoes, coupled with a refreshing and fruity wine being the best bit of all” Mark, Feltham
Here is a snapshot of what panellists who said breakfast was their favourite meal of the day said:
Viewpoint 3 - Panellists who said breakfast was their favourite meal of the day:
“We love to sit at the table in the morning at leisure and have our tasty, healthy, home mixed muesli breakfast and plenty of fruit, at least three different of them. Green tea and later coffee will make the breakfast the best meal of the day. We do not feel hungry but much later in the day, after 4pm, after such a breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day” Anni, Wales
“Because I am always very hungry in the morning and I look forward to my porridge with treacle on it” Chris, Wigan
“Food is always a nice way to wake up, and start the day. Having a good routine is important in the morning, and breakfast is very important in that” Ryan, Kent
“It sets you up for the day. Eggs are the best way to start a day. What a wonderful food that sets you up for the day” Fiona, York
“I can read my paper (which I have delivered) and eat breakfast in a calm atmosphere reading the latest news” Frances, Surrey
“It involves most of my favourite foods such as cereal, hash browns, mushrooms, quorn sausages, croissants, and a cup of tea. It's the best!”
Viewpoint 4 - Panellists who said lunch was their favourite meal of the day:
“It is a half hour break, and sanctuary of peace and solitude, away from the hell that is my employment” Dee, Yorkshire
“I'm fully awake I have plenty of time to prepare lunch” Kemi
“I now have time to sit and enjoy it without a rush and it can be light (beans on toast) or elegant (exotic salad) or fried. Greater variety of foods” Anon
“Because I never feel hungry at breakfast and dinner is usually boring. Lunch gives you the freedom to eat all sorts of stuff!” Al, Wakefield
What's your view? Tell us what yoir favourite meal of the day is.
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