Health-conscious Brits are eating more vegetables than ever before, a study revealed yesterday.
Researchers found the typical adult now consumes the recommended 35 portions of fruit and vegetables every single week.
Furthermore it emerged that potatoes are the nation’s preferred vegetable, while bananas are the favourite fruit.
The study of 2,000 people, conducted by tibits vegetarian restaurant, also found peas, mushrooms and carrots are eaten on a daily basis by Brits, while strawberries, grapes and apples make their way into shopping baskets most weeks.
Indeed, the research found more than half of those polled try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables daily to ensure they get enough vitamins and minerals.
And 78 per cent say it is a conscious decision they make because they want to be healthy.
Reto Frei for tibits vegetarian restaurant, said: “There is the preconception about British people that they are taking less care of their health than ever before, putting on weight, leading sedentary lifestyles and eating unbalanced diets.
“This research dispels at least one of those myths, as we have proved that the average person is following government guidelines by consuming at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
“In fact, most people thoroughly enjoy sampling different fruits and vegetables, and wouldn’t consider a meal without the addition of one or the other.”
Six in 10 people polled firmly believe they eat more fruit and vegetables now than they did 10 years ago, with just under half of Brits believing this is because they know more about food now, and four in 10 claiming to cook more meals from scratch these days.
A quarter put their new-found love for fruit and veg down to the fact they have left home and now prepare their own meals, while 16 per cent like to set a good example to their children.
Indeed, a staggering 72 per cent of those questioned say they thoroughly enjoy eating fruit and vegetables, with a third claiming they would rather have these as part of their main meal than meat or fish.
And while only eight per cent of people polled were complete vegetarians, the average Brit will have up to two meat-free days every single week.
The results also show that while people eat 35 portions of fruit and veg a week, they’ll eat just five portions of meat on average, and two portions of fish.
Reto Frei from tibits continues: “It is evident that there is a real appreciation of the goodness of fruit and vegetables, with people often opting for them above meat or fish alternatives.
“People are even finding vegetables easy to prepare, and 73 per cent are experimenting with alternative ways of cooking them, such as steaming, grilling and griddling.”
TOP 10 FAVOURITE FRUITS
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Grapes
- Apples
- Tomatoes
- Pineapple
- Melon
- Raspberries
- Satsuma
- Peaches
TOP 10 FAVOURITE VEGETABLES
- Potatoes
- Peas
- Mushrooms
- Carrots
- Onions
- Broccoli
- Peppers
- Lettuce
- Cucumber
- Sweetcorn
