One in five foodies cooks a meal just to post photos of it online

One in five Brits has admitted to regularly making a nice meal just so they can post a photo of it online.

It turns out that as much as we enjoy looking at, showing off and talking about food online, many of us are not spending all that much time enjoying actually eating it.

The average adult shares at least one photo of food on social media per week, according to Lurpak’s study of 2,000 people, with social media users also leaving likes and comments on a further two posts a week.

But while we spend an average of five hours per week watching cookery shows, browsing food posts online and tweeting about food, we only actually spend four hours making meals.

Avocado is one of the main offenders [vegancommunityon Instagram]

As well as talking to 2,000 people, Lurpak also had media psychologist Emma Kenny analyse over 400 hours of food culture spanning TV, radio, internet and social media conversations.

She said: “With so much delicious food content online, there’s pressure to compete on social media channels.

Are you getting hungry yet? [_the_naked_asian_ on Instagram]

“Research by Lurpak shows however that less of us are actually cooking. We’re faking it - taking pictures of food prepared by other people and missing out on the thrill and creativity of cooking!

"We need to reassess our relationship with food. Cooking is honest and real and authenticity is good for the soul.

“Masterpieces can be messy just as much as picture perfect - so let’s take the pressure off and put the enjoyment back in. See how your life improves.”

The top ten UK food Instagram accounts

1. Jamie Oliver - 4.9 million followers

2. Gordon Ramsey - 1.8 million followers

3. Joe Wicks - 1.5 million followers

4. Ella Woodward - 953,000 followers

5. Nigella Lawson - 809,000 followers

6. Symmetry Breakfast - 637,000 followers

7. Madeleine Shaw - 252,000 followers

8. Top With Cinnamon - 213,000 followers

9. Clerkenwell Boy - 147,000 followers

10 Gizzi Erskine - 124,000 followers

Lead image: Zestmylemon on Instagram