Health bosses claim nearly one in 10 young people never cook a proper meal.
Despite this, however, the Department of Health survey revealed that if someone else is doing the cooking most 16-24-year-olds favourite meal is the good old fashioned roast, followed by curry, then steak.
According to the results, the favourite vegetables among younger people are carrots and peas.
The survey, conducted as part of the DoH’s 5 A DAY programme to encourage people to eat more fruit and vegetables, looked at young people’s attitudes to cooking and culinary ability. It revealed that young people don’t cook because they “don’t want to”, or “can’t be bothered”.
To help encourage culinary skills, the DoH has produced a free-recipe guide, entitled Fuel for Living, which aims to provide simple and cost effective recipe ideas and tips to help young people build their skills and boost their fruit and veg consumption.
The booklet includes easy recipes for the top meals that young people like, along with tips about eating more healthily on the run as well as special offers for Harpers gyms and Whitworths dried fruit snacks.
Health Minister, Caroline Flint said: “This handy booklet will help young people cook up a tasty dish for themselves or someone they want to impress.
“It is important that people look after themselves and get their 5 A DAY as this will keep them looking good, feeling great and can protect against heart disease and cancer later in life.”
The survey also revealed almost a third (32.8 per cent) of 16-24-year-olds admit that rather than cooking themselves, they have passed off a ready meal as their own creation when they wanted to impress someone.
Around seven per cent of those questioned brazenly admit that they have taken credit for something they have bought, “on many occasions”.
