The average Briton goes A MONTH without eating a single piece of fruit – and three weeks without green vegetables, research shows
Forget five pieces of fruit a day: Britons struggle to eat just one piece of fruit in a month, new research has found.
The survey of 2,000 people also found that the average adult in the UK does not eat green vegetables such as broccoli or spinach for three weeks.
More than half of veggie haters admit that the only legumes they eat that are recommended for healthy gut flora are canned baked beans.
According to the NHS, we should all eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to stay healthy.
Not only are they a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, but they are also an excellent source of fiber, which helps prevent digestive problems, including colon cancer.
According to the NHS, we should all eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to stay healthy
The study, conducted by fitness tracker MyFitnessPal, also looked at the prevalence of common health complaints often linked to a diet low in fruits and vegetables.
About 20 percent reported regularly experiencing heartburn, while 15 percent cited digestive problems such as constipation.
Six in 10 people admitted they started the week with the best of intentions: they bought fruit, vegetables and legumes, but gave up their healthy meal plan and ordered take-out food halfway through the week.
Government guidelines recommend eating 30 grams of fiber daily. This is found in leafy greens, legumes and whole grain products.
However, the latest figures suggest the average Briton eats around 18g a day, 60 per cent of what it should be.
Eating plenty of fiber has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer.
Amanda Hamilton, nutritionist at MyFitnessPal, says: ‘The research shows how little people know about their gut health, even though two-thirds of people say they start the week with good resolutions.
‘A varied diet with plants (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds) is essential for good gut health.’
The advice to eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables per day comes from the World Health Organization (WHO). They recommend eating at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day. That is five portions of 80 grams.
This is equivalent to approximately one apple, one banana, seven strawberries, two heads of broccoli, two heaping tablespoons of cooked spinach, 5 cm of cucumber or seven cherry tomatoes.