Foodservice Footprint Unknown-7 Brits stop eating greens Health and Vitality  hv-email

Brits stop eating greens

More than two thirds (68%) of Brits have not eaten a single green vegetable in at least a week, whilst 4% haven’t done so in a month or more.

The poll of 1,500 adults, conducted by Organic UK, also showed the average Brit eats only three of the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Only 37% of those polled could say with confidence they have a healthy diet; 6% admitted that they “eat badly all the time”. In fact, 16% feel “unhealthy” and 13% said their diet makes them unhappy.

The survey also revealed that white and starchy carbohydrates, including chips, pasta and potatoes, make up the majority (35%) of British dinners.

Research published in September by the Food Foundation showed that low income families would need to spend almost half of their after-housing income on food in order to eat a healthy diet.

Brits also appear to have unadventurous tastes when it comes to veg – only 36% have ever tried celeriac, for example. One in five (20%) are reluctant to try butternut squash, kale and aubergine fail to tempt 19% and 18% respectively. Despite its huge popularity, 15% have never tasted an avocado.

Last year, a number of foodservice businesses signed up to the Peas Please campaign, which will result in on-the-go products containing more vegetables.