Health fears over lack of fruit and veg in adult diet

ADULT Irish men and women are running the risk of contracting heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis by not eating enough fruit and vegetables.

Only 21% of adult men and 19% of women in Ireland are meeting the current World Health Organisation (WHO) target, with young children eating even less, a recent study has found.

The food safety promotion board, safefood, in a review of the “fruit and vegetable food chain” throughout the country found that despite consumers being well informed of the health benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, consumption remains low.

To maximise the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables, safefood is encouraging people to eat a mixture of fruit and vegetables whatever form they come in, whether fresh, frozen, tinned or dried.

In addition, the report also showed that based on the balance of scientific evidence, organic fruit and vegetables are no safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced varieties.

The importance of introducing fruit and vegetables into children’s diets is widely recognised and repeated exposure to a variety of tastes, textures and flavours in childhood leads to greater consumption and enjoyment of foods later in life, including fruits and vegetables, the report stated.

Martin Higgins, chief executive safefood, said: “Fruit and vegetables are highly nutritious and an essential part of the diet.

“They can help maintain a healthy weight and are associated with a decreased risk of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and type II diabetes. It is worrying that the consumption of fruit and vegetables on the island of Ireland is low, especially when compared to our European counterparts and simple steps can be taken to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed like choosing an apple or banana as a quick, convenient snack or including frozen vegetables with your dinner,” he said.

The food safety board said there was little concern regarding the potential health risks from chemical and microbiological contamination of fruit and vegetables.

In addition to enforcing European Union legislation, the respective food safety agencies and agricultural departments have produced guidelines for growers and producers to minimise the risk of food borne illness resulting from the consumption of fruit and vegetables, the health report stated.

Meanwhile, a national heart health screening initiative carried out by Flora, as part of the brand’s “Love Your Heart” campaign, found that 33.3% of Irish people are “Heart breakers” when it comes to looking after their hearts, having a cholesterol level greater than five, which is the maximum recommended by health professionals.

Despite the fact that heart disease is the number one killer in Ireland, the majority of those surveyed nationally admitted that they never gave their heart much thought.

Five a day: easy ways to boost fruit and veg intake

A portion of fruit and vegetables is:

* One large piece of fruit, such as apple, orange, banana.

* Two small pieces of fruit, such as satsumas, kiwis.

* 100ml of unsweetened pure fruit juice (1 small carton = 200ml).

* ½ a tin of fruit, in its own juice.

* Two tablespoons/ three dessertspoons vegetables, such as carrots chopped or grated.

* One small salad including lettuce, tomato, cucumber, celery.

* Irish adults aged 18 to 64 years ate 276g of fruit and vegetables per day. This compares to Spain where adults eat a total of 605g per day; Italy: 479g per day and France: 467g per day.

* Tomatoes, carrots, apples, bananas and orange juice make the biggest contribution to the five-a-day target.

* Composite meals that include vegetables, such as stews or casseroles, are also important.