The state of the nation’s diet…
Public Health England has published new data detailing the state of the nation’s diet.
The figures from the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey were collected from 2014 to 2016.
Results show that most people eat too much saturated fat and not enough fruit, vegetables and fibre.
Only a third of adults and just eight per cent of teenagers are meeting the 5 A Day recommendation for fruit and vegetables!
Children are eating nearly three times as much sugar as the top limit recommended, with sugary drinks being the main culprit.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said:
“Poor diets are all too common in this country and, along with obesity, are now one of the leading causes of disease such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It’s clear from these data that the nation’s diet needs an overhaul.
“A healthy balanced diet is the foundation to good health. Eating 5 A Day and reducing our intake of calories, sugar, and saturated fat is what many of us need to do to reduce the risk of long term health problems.”
Public Health England says that following a healthy, balanced diet and reducing calories will help reduce obesity and the economic and social burden of its consequences.
The good news is you can effectivley improve your diet by making just one simple change – replacing animals foods with healthier plant-based options. Cutting out meat, fish, eggs and dairy foods is a simple and easy way to reduce calories and saturated fat while increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables and fibre. This is why vegans tend to weigh less and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol – known risk factors for heart disease.
Plant-based diets can help adults and children alike achieve and maintain a healthy weight for life, reducing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
For more information, see The Incredible Vegan Health report.
If you want to know more about going vegan, try our free 30 Day Vegan meal plan. You can start anytime and we’re here to help www.viva.org.uk/30dayvegan.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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