Over half of us only consume three portions of fruit or less per day according to a new survey. Sadly the younger generations are the worst offenders with 70% of 18-24 year olds confessing that they only eat 3 or less portions on average a day. A worrying 4% don’t eat any fruit or veg at all! The question is: why is this happening when so few of us can claim ignorance?

The research conducted by Florida Grapefruit ‘Zest for Life’ reveals that almost a fifth of those 18-24 year olds not getting the recommended 5 A Day say it is because they don’t like fruit or vegetables. Amongst the other age groups the most common excuse given for not getting 5 A Day is not having enough time, with over a quarter blaming time-poor lifestyles. More than a fifth said it proved too pricy to buy fruit and veg all the time. The most worrying category however was the 1 in 5 people who said they simply ‘can’t be bothered’. Although we will all obviously have our personal barriers, it’s really important to eat a healthy diet. Leading nutritionist and best selling author Anita Bean offers these 5 top tips for getting more fruit and veg on your plate in 2008:

  • It doesn’t just have to be food - have a glass of fruit juice. A drink such as Appletiser feels indulgent but it contributes to your 5-A-Day intake.
  • Stir green veg such as broccoli florets, spinach and cabbage into soups, curries and hotpots.
  • Pile pizzas with extra peppers, mushrooms, onions and spinach. And add carrots, broccoli and mushrooms to stir-fries.
  • Think of your plate as a clock and allot 30 to 40 “minutes” of it to salad, vegetables, and fruits.
  • Combine fresh fruit and yoghurt: try a handful of blueberries or banana slices with low fat natural yoghurt.

Anita further comments “It’s clear from the excuses given in the survey that most people think eating 5 A Day is too much time and effort. This is bad news because it means they’re missing out on vital vitamins, minerals and other protective substances that can protect us from heart disease, strokes, and some cancers. Research proves that eating 5 A Day also increases our immunity against minor infections such as colds and flu, prevents age-related memory loss and even helps strengthen our bones.”