Everyone loves a good takeaway, but when does a harmless treat turn into a full-blown addiction?
If you’re starting to wonder whether your relationship with Deliveroo is getting a bit too serious, it may be time to take a break and start eating something you’ve prepared in your own kitchen for once. Here are the top 10 signs you might be addicted to ordering out.
1. Your delivery driver knows you by name.
When the delivery person starts greeting you like an old mate, it’s time to take a hard look at your habits. If they’re asking about your day or remembering your usual order, you’ve crossed a line. It’s one thing to be a regular at the local pub, but when the takeaway drivers are more familiar with your eating habits than your own mum, you might have a problem.
2. Your kitchen is purely decorative.
If your oven is pristine because it’s never been used, and your fridge contains nothing but condiments and old takeaway containers, you’re in deep. A kitchen shouldn’t be a showroom. If you can’t remember the last time you cooked a proper meal, it’s time to dust off those pots and pans. Your wallet (and your waistline) will thank you.
3. You’ve got takeaway apps arranged by cuisine on your phone.
Your phone’s home screen says a lot about you. If it’s dominated by food delivery apps, neatly organised by cuisine type, you’ve got a takeaway problem. When you’re spending more time scrolling through menu options than social media, it’s a clear sign you’re hooked. Maybe it’s time to download a cookbook app instead?
4. You justify it as “supporting local businesses.”
Source: Unsplash Sure, ordering takeaway can support local restaurants. But let’s be honest, if you’re ordering every night, it’s not about community spirit — it’s about convenience and cravings. If you find yourself using this excuse regularly, you’re probably in denial about your takeaway addiction. There are other ways to support local businesses that don’t involve stuffing your face every night.
5. You’ve memorised the delivery time estimates.
Source: Unsplash If you know exactly how long it takes for food to arrive from every local restaurant, down to the minute, you’ve ordered far too much takeaway. When you start timing your shower or dog walk based on delivery estimates, you’ve reached a new level of addiction. It’s impressive, in a slightly concerning way.
6. Your idea of “cooking” is reheating last night’s takeaway.
Source: Unsplash We’ve all had leftovers, but if your idea of home cooking is exclusively reheating takeaway containers, you’ve got a problem. When you start treating your microwave like it’s Gordon Ramsay, it’s time to learn some actual cooking skills. YouTube is full of easy recipes — give it a go.
7. You’ve got a dedicated takeaway budget.
Source: Unsplash Budgeting is responsible, right? Not when you’ve got a line item specifically for takeaways that rivals your rent. If you’re prioritising curry over electricity, it’s time to reassess your financial choices. Your future self will thank you for redirecting some of that cash into savings or, you know, groceries.
8. You feel genuine anxiety when apps are down.
Source: Unsplash If a “temporarily unavailable” message on your favourite delivery app sends you into a panic, you’re in too deep. When technical difficulties with Just Eat feel like a personal crisis, it’s a sign you’re too dependent on takeaway. It might be time to reacquaint yourself with your kitchen — or at least have a backup plan that doesn’t involve delivery.
9. You’ve got a favourite delivery person for each restaurant.
It’s one thing to have a favourite restaurant, but when you’ve got preferred delivery people for each cuisine, you’ve crossed a line. If you find yourself disappointed when your second-string driver shows up, it’s a clear sign you’re ordering too much. Maybe it’s time to start a new hobby that doesn’t involve food delivery?
10. You can’t remember the last time you ate a home-cooked meal.
If you have to rack your brain to remember the last time you ate something that wasn’t delivered in a paper bag or a foil container, you’re officially addicted to takeaway. Cooking for yourself isn’t just about saving money or being healthier — it’s a basic life skill. If you can’t rustle up a simple meal, it’s time to step away from the delivery apps and into the kitchen.
