Feature: Britons spend a tenth of income on food, compared to 24 pct in 1974

The eating habits of Britain were revealed in a report on Thursday, revealing how Britain's relationship with food has changed over three generations.

The data is contained in the National Food Survey, set up in 1940 by the wartime government concerned about health and access to food during World War II.

Launched by British Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, the report reveals families spent 24 percent of their income on food in 1974, compared to 11 percent today.

In 1974, only 15 percent of households owned a freezer and the shopping list of one household in Leicester included canned milk pudding, canned peas and potatoes. In 2000, around 94 percent of households owned a freezer, and bought frozen cakes, peas and chips.

In the 1970s, families recorded more purchases of instant milk, instant potato and tinned peaches, while today sales of foods like frozen pizza and pasta have skyrocketed.

Over 40 years, people have also become more health consciousness, with consumption of white bread dropping by 75 percent since 1974, while brown and wholemeal bread has risen by 85 percent. Skimmed milk sales also overtook that of whole milk.

Information from around 150,000 households was included in the survey from 1974-2000, and published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Truss said: "Food is the heart and soul of our society and this data not only shows what we were eating 40 years ago, but how a change in culture has led to a food revolution."

"Shoppers are more plugged in to where their food comes from than ever before, the Internet has brought quality produce to our doorsteps, pop up restaurants are showcasing latest trends and exciting global cuisines are now as common as fish and chips," she added. Endit