Empty-nesters turn to junk food

Six in ten miss breakfast at least once a week while almost eight in ten have a day a week without lunch. Photo / iStock

Millions of older parents lapse into an unhealthy lifestyle after their children leave home - because they don't have to set an example any more.

Many so-called empty-nesters admit to having the worst diet of their lives, skipping meals or eating junk food.

Six in ten miss breakfast at least once a week while almost eight in ten have a day a week without lunch.

Sixty-two per cent regularly ditch a meal in favour of toast, a packet of crisps or even just a cup of tea, while almost one in ten never sit down to a home-cooked meal.

Not having to worry about what their children eat was among the top reasons for letting their diet slip.

Dietitian Helen Bond, of vitamin firm Seven Seas, which polled 2,000 over-60s for the survey, said: "You don't always need to have a large home-cooked meal, but it's important to make sure you get three balanced meals a day to help keep you fit and healthy and living well into old age."

- Daily Mail