Centra has found that Irish people over 65 years of age eat the most amount of fruit and vegetables, while according to the RedC research undertaken on the retailer’s behalf, young adults in the country (aged 18 to 24) are the least likely to get their five a day.
Centra’s findings reveal that the average fruit and vegetable intake of an Irish adult is now 3.3 portions a day, up from previously reported figures from Safe Food that showed a national average of 2.5.
The research also found that 42% of Irish parents struggle to get their children to eat vegetables, and 35% tell ‘fibs’ to encourage intake, with 28% using bribes. Nearly a third of parents say they regularly hide fruit and vegetables in their children’s food.
The research comes shortly after the launch of Centra’s 5 a Day campaign in January, which aims to get the nation to eat more fruit and vegetables, and as it unveils its new Get Summer Ready campaign.
As part of the new initiative, consultant dietician from Eatwell.ie, Sarah Keogh is offering simple recipe ideas, as well as tips to help consumers eat more fruit and veg, on www.centra.ie.
"It is worrying that 77% of the Irish nation consume less than the recommended 5 a day, with young adults eating the least amounts of fruit and veg," commented Keogh.
"I have drawn up tips and recipes that are easy to follow, which will help people to get more of their 5 a day – especially those who are time strapped and lead busy lives or trying to get their children to ‘eat their greens’."
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
