Britons are choosing fresh fruit and yoghurt over traditional English puddings in their weekly shopping basket, according to latest research from YouGov.

The study of 6,500 people, which was commissioned by ­Sainsbury to assess what consumers were putting in their basket at all the major supermarkets, found that 13 (32%) of the average 42 items bought each week were fruit and vegetables.

Of the top ten items, seven were fruit and veg. Milk - which took the top spot - along with eggs and cheese also made it into the top ten list, suggesting that freshly prepared foods are becoming more popular than ready meals, said a spokeswoman.

Crisps, biscuits and sweets made up 5% of the weekly basket, while store cupboard staples made up 20%, revealed the retailer.

Sainsbury nutritionist Beth Flowers said it had been supporting the expansion of its fresh food ranges, with recipe ideas to boost consumer uptake.

"It's encouraging to see the nation enjoying a more balanced diet, with fresh, tasty and healthy food holding a significant share of the average shopping basket," said Flowers. "Bringing the fun and ideas back into food is the key for a healthy nation."

Traditional puddings failed to appear in the top 100 products, with apple pie at 152, steam pudding at 224 and crumbles at 211.Top 10 items

1 Milk 74%

2 Bananas 68%

3 Potatoes 65%

4 Tomatoes 64%

5 Apples 63%

6 Eggs 61%

7 Onions 61%

8 Green Veg 60%

9 Cheddar Cheese 58%

10 Lettuce 55%

Percentages relate to the proportion of people that buy these items each week

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