The average Brit goes ONE MONTH without eating a single piece of fruit - and three weeks without green veg, study reveals

By REBECCA WHITTAKER, HEALTH FEATURES WRITER

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Forget five a day — Brits are struggling to eat just one piece of fruit in the space of a month, according to a new study. 

The poll of 2,000 also found that the average UK adult goes three weeks without a green vegetable like broccoli or spinach passing their lips.

More than half of veg haters also admit the only pulses — recommended to boost gut health — they eat are tinned baked beans. 

We should all be eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to stay healthy, according to the NHS.

Not only are they a good source of vital vitamins and minerals, they are also an excellent source of fibre which helps prevent digestive problems including bowel cancer. 

We should all be eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to stay healthy, according to the NHS

We should all be eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to stay healthy, according to the NHS

The study, conducted by fitness tracking app MyFitnessPal, also looked at the prevalence of common health complaints that are often linked to diets lacking in fruit and vegetables.

Some 20 per cent said they suffered from regular heartburn, while 15 per cent cited problems with digestion like constipation.

Six in ten people confessed to starting the week with the best intentions, buying fruits, veggies and pulses, only to give up on their healthy meal plan and order midweek takeaways. 

Government guidelines recommend eating 30g of fibre — found in leafy green vegetables, pulses and wholegrains, per day. 

However, the most recent figures suggest that the average Brit eats around 18g daily, 60 per cent of what it should be. 

Eating plenty of fibre has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.

MyFitnessPal’s nutritional expert, Amanda Hamilton said: 'The study reveals just how little the nation knows about their gut health, even though two thirds say they start the week with good intentions.

'Eating a diet filled with varied plants (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts and seeds) is crucial for good gut health.'

Advice to eat five-a-day comes from the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends eating a minimum of 400g of fruit and veg a day — that's five 80g portions. 

This is equivalent to approximately one apple, one banana, seven strawberries, two broccoli spears, two heaped tablespoons of cooked spinach, 5cm of cucumber or seven cherry tomatoes. 

NHS

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