Consumption of fruit and veg is on the rise spurred on by the increased consumer interest in healthy living, but is still well below the recommended ‘five-a-day’.
According to a new survey by the Food Standards Agency of adult eating habits people are eating more fruit and veg on average than they were 15 years ago when the survey was first carried out.
However, the British population still don’t manage to reach the recommended five portions a day. On average women eat 2.9 pieces per day and men 2.7.
The older generation fared best with 24% of men and 22% of women between 50-64 eating at least five pieces per day. There has been no increase in consumption of fruit and vegetables in the youngest age group surveyed - 19-24 years.
Bananas are the most popular fruit. We used to eat an average of three quarters of a banana a week but now we eat two.
Consumption of fizzy drinks has also risen from an average of 1.5 cans a week in 1987 to 2.75 cans last year. Oily fish consumption, recommended once a week, has risen slightly from a quarter of a portion to a third of a portion.
The British Retail Consortium said: “Food retailers have responded positively to the increased consumer interest in healthier living over recent years by providing a wide range of well-labelled products.
“However, neither food retailers nor the government can force the consumers to lead healthier lives. The government can set out the risks and retailers can provide a choice of innovation, affordable products, but ultimately it is for the consumer to decide how he or she wishes to live their life.”
According to a new survey by the Food Standards Agency of adult eating habits people are eating more fruit and veg on average than they were 15 years ago when the survey was first carried out.
However, the British population still don’t manage to reach the recommended five portions a day. On average women eat 2.9 pieces per day and men 2.7.
The older generation fared best with 24% of men and 22% of women between 50-64 eating at least five pieces per day. There has been no increase in consumption of fruit and vegetables in the youngest age group surveyed - 19-24 years.
Bananas are the most popular fruit. We used to eat an average of three quarters of a banana a week but now we eat two.
Consumption of fizzy drinks has also risen from an average of 1.5 cans a week in 1987 to 2.75 cans last year. Oily fish consumption, recommended once a week, has risen slightly from a quarter of a portion to a third of a portion.
The British Retail Consortium said: “Food retailers have responded positively to the increased consumer interest in healthier living over recent years by providing a wide range of well-labelled products.
“However, neither food retailers nor the government can force the consumers to lead healthier lives. The government can set out the risks and retailers can provide a choice of innovation, affordable products, but ultimately it is for the consumer to decide how he or she wishes to live their life.”
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