Fruit and veg off the menu for fast-food nation
More and more are opting to fill up on a dinner of fast-food takeaways and are falling short of the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Health watchdogs say they are concerned about a surge in the consumption of sugar-laden foods as people turn their backs on healthy diets.
Experts believe the more relaxed attitude to eating has come about as a result of the downturn, as people seek “comfort food” to take their minds off their financial worries.
Another major factor is that more and more people can no longer afford to eat costly organic produce and have no option but to turn to cheaper, less healthy options.
Suzanne Horgan, director and founder of the Eating Disorder Resource Centre in Dublin said: “All healthier foods do cost a bit more and that is putting a strain on a lot of people.
“At the same time there are a lot more fast-food joints everywhere and this is generating people to have bad eating habits.
“High-sugar foods become addictive and people find it difficult to stop eating fast-food once they start. In bad times like these people tend to comfort eat a lot more too.”
A surge in the number of binge-eaters is another challenge facing the centre.
