by Fern Shaw | Mar 9, 2026 | water boiler, Water Boilers, water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
Building on a previous instalment from 2016, we leap forward to 2024 to find out how the British appetite has evolved over the last eight years. While the original 1970s data gave us a baseline, the recent shift from 2016 to today reveals a nation rapidly refining its palate and its priorities.
According to the latest Family Food data released by Defra, our plates tell a story of convenience, health-consciousness and a complete reimagining of the British staple.
Beyond the Pint of White
In our 2016 update skimmed milk had overtaken whole-fat. Fast forward to 2024 and the traditional dairy pint is in a steeper decline than ever. It’s no longer just about the fat content; we are now a nation of dairy alternatives. Oat, almond and soy variants have moved from niche health shop finds to fridge essentials, reflecting a broader shift toward plant-based living.
The Air Fryer Revolution
In 2016, we were buying three times more chips than in the seventies. Today, that trend continues but the cooking method has been disrupted. The meteoric rise of the air fryer since our last blog means we are still enjoying our chips, but they are increasingly prepared in a way that is healthier and quicker. The deep-fat fryer is being banished in favour of modern tech.
The Great Hydration Shift
One of the most telling changes since 2016 isn’t just what we eat, but what we choose to wash it down with. While many still swear by a proper brew, tea purchases have continued their steady slide as coffee – particularly filter coffee – is on the increase. Overall, however, there has been a significant move away from constant heavy caffeine hits in favour of pure, refreshing water.
Whether it is the ubiquity of the office water cooler or the rise of the reusable bottle, drinking water has become the ultimate lifestyle choice. The water dispenser has become the new social hub of the workplace, as we have realised that staying hydrated is the simplest productivity hack available.
A Globalised Pantry
The ‘Italianisation’ we noted previously has expanded into a truly global pantry. While tinned peas and meat paste are firmly relics of the past, our baskets are now filled with avocados, sweet potatoes and haloumi. Since 2016, these items have moved from trendy extras to weekly necessities.
So, where does that leave us? We are eating less beef, more chicken, more fresh fruit and significantly more ready-to-eat salads. The British public is striking a balance: the convenience of a quick meal accompanied by a water bottle refill from the water cooler and a side of fresh greens.
Of course, I’m still dispensing piping hot water from the office hot water boiler to make my endless mugs of tea. However, in an effort to keep up with these more health-conscious habits, I might just try to cut back on how many biscuits I dunk.
by Fern Shaw | Feb 25, 2026 | bottle fed water coolers, mains fed water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
Eating well and staying hydrated tend to go hand in hand. This series looks at everyday foods with high water content or strong nutritional value – simple choices that support a healthier routine without overcomplicating things. While fresh produce can contribute to overall fluid intake, it works best alongside consistent access to drinking water, whether that’s from a bottled water cooler in the workplace or reliable mains fed water coolers. Good food and good hydration are straightforward habits – and often the easiest ones to maintain.
Cucumber doesn’t try too hard and that’s part of its appeal. Crisp and crunchy and made up of around 95% water, it’s one of the simplest ways to add extra hydration to your day without even thinking about it.
Low in calories and refreshing to eat, cucumber works well sliced into salads, layered into sandwiches or simply eaten on its own with a pinch of pepper. It contains small amounts of vitamin K and antioxidants, but its real strength is how easily it fits into everyday meals.
Because of its high-water content, cucumber can help you feel refreshed and satisfied, particularly if you’re trying to swap out heavier snacks for something lighter. It’s a practical choice for offices too – easy to prep, no fuss and no sticky fingers.
Of course, while cucumber contributes to your overall fluid intake, it doesn’t replace the need to drink water. Keeping a bottle nearby or making regular trips to the water cooler ensures you’re properly hydrated throughout the day. Think of cucumber as a helpful extra – a crisp companion to a good glass of water.
by Fern Shaw | Feb 16, 2026 | water cooler, water cooler, Water Coolers
In busy lives, staying healthy can slip down the priority list. Yet one of the simplest daily habits – drinking enough water – supports the body in remarkable ways.
This blog is the first in a series exploring organ health and how good hydration habits help the body function as it should. As it’s the month of love, we’re beginning with the heart.
The Heart: Your Body’s Engine
Is often described as the body’s powerhouse. It’s a muscle – highly specialised and remarkably complex – that relies on electrical impulses to maintain its steady rhythm.
Every day, it beats around 100,000 times, pumping roughly eight pints of blood through the circulatory system. That blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, while carrying away carbon dioxide and other waste products. The heart and blood vessels work in constant partnership to keep everything running smoothly.
To do this efficiently, the heart depends on adequate hydration.
How is Drinking Water Important?
The human heart is made up of approximately 73% water. Like all vital organs, it requires sufficient fluid to function properly.
While the heart cannot ‘drink’ water directly, it relies on the body’s overall fluid balance. When fluid intake is too low, blood volume decreases. With less volume, blood becomes more concentrated and harder to circulate. The heart must then work harder to move it around the body.
Over time, this additional strain may contribute to stress on the heart and blood vessels.
By contrast, staying well hydrated helps maintain healthy blood volume and circulation. Well-hydrated blood flows more easily, allowing the heart to do its job with less effort.
Hydration and Heart Health
Research suggests that higher water intake is associated with a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease. Adequate hydration supports efficient circulation and helps the cardiovascular system function as it should.
In simple terms: drinking enough water supports the heart in carrying out the thousands of tasks it performs each day – steadily and without pause.
A Simple Habit = Super Benefits
Looking healthy on the outside begins with caring for what’s inside. The heart works tirelessly; giving it the hydration it needs is a straightforward way to support long-term wellbeing.
This♥month provides the perfect opportunity for us to be kinder to ourselves, our bodies and lives. The next time you’re about to pass the water cooler, don’t. Refill your water bottle or water glass. Make it a daily habit.
Each drink of water you take, you’re supporting a healthier heart – and a healthier you.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 27, 2026 | bottle fed water coolers, water cooler, Water Coolers
International LEGO Day gives us the perfect excuse to celebrate one of the most brilliant inventions ever built from the ground up. The humble LEGO block – small in size but mighty in creativity, with the power to inspire ideas and construct entire worlds from a handful of bricks.
From its origins in Denmark to its now-legendary interlocking design, LEGO has been shaping curious minds for generations. What looks like simple play is, in reality, a masterclass in learning. Problem-solving, spatial awareness, patience and teamwork are all meticulously woven into those brightly coloured bricks that invite us to build, dismantle and rebuild, again and again. No instruction manual required.
Which is just one reason LEGO has found a natural home in classrooms as well as playrooms. Teachers have long recognised its value as an educational tool, helping learners of all ages explore maths, engineering and creativity through hands-on play. It’s learning without the hard sell – engaging, intuitive and memorable precisely because it’s enjoyable.
And then there’s creativity for creativity’s sake. Whether you followed the instructions to the letter or proudly produced something entirely ‘unique’ (often with questionable structural integrity), LEGO has always encouraged us to think beyond the ordinary. Castles, spaceships, cities and creatures that defy known biology – if you can imagine it, LEGO helps us bring it to life on any available surface.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without acknowledging one universal truth: we have all experienced the sharp reminder that comes from stepping on a stray LEGO block. It’s a rite of passage, really – a shared moment of pain that connects builders everywhere, balanced by the joy of creating something remarkable from a pile of pieces.
While we – AquAid – haven’t yet used LEGO to build our water coolers; the water dispensed from our coolers is for drinking, see – staying well hydrated does play its part. Drinking water supports cognitive function, focus and creativity, helping us continue building amazing LEGO creations at any age, whether at work, in school or after hours.
And a final thought: perhaps it’s time to suggest a modest LEGO supply near the office water cooler. After all, what better way to refresh the mind while refilling your water cooler bottle than with a little creative construction?
by Fern Shaw | Jan 13, 2026 | Water, water cooler, Water Coolers
Just like that, the festive lights are packed away, the last mince pie crumbs have mysteriously disappeared and we’re easing ourselves into another brand-new year. December often feels like a blur of celebrations, cosy moments and perhaps one too many helpings of everything – but we wouldn’t have it any other way. From catchups with friends and family to those quiet, in-between days where time seems to slow down, the festive season has a habit of leaving us both content and slightly disoriented.
We hope you had a joyful festive season, full of laughter, rest and maybe even a little mischief. And we have to ask … did anyone actually decorate their water cooler? We like to imagine a few tinsel-wrapped taps, a stray string of fairy lights and perhaps even the occasional Santa hat making a surprise appearance in the office or kitchen. After all, if you’re going to hydrate, you might as well do it in style.
As we step into brand spanking new year, filled with purpose, clarity, vision and healthy hydration habits, there’s a quiet sense of excitement in the air and, hopefully, a renewed commitment to looking after ourselves. January doesn’t have to be about drastic changes or unrealistic resolutions. Sometimes it’s simply about resetting, refocusing and choosing to do the small things a little better.
This year, how about we focus on creating small habits that make a big difference. Taking a moment to pause during a busy day. Remembering to refill your water glass before it’s empty. Choosing progress over perfection and feeling good about the direction we’re heading in, even if it’s one sip at a time. However you prefer to refresh your drinking water – hot, cold or ambient, remember, you’ll find the perfect solution among AquAid’s range of high-quality water dispensers.
There’s something refreshing about a new year – a chance to bring intention into our routines and clarity into our goals, while keeping things light-hearted and achievable. Healthy routines don’t have to be complicated; often, they start with the simplest choices.
Here’s to a year of clear minds, steady momentum and well-hydrated days ahead. We’re looking forward to every moment of it – and we’re glad you’re coming along for the journey.
Cheers to the year ahead!
