66% of Brits Eat Three (or Less) Portions of Fruit and/or Veg Each Day

Diabetes UK has put forth a “Food You Love” healthy eating promotion during Sunday 11 June to Saturday 17 June 2017.  According to the recent survey the organization conducted, 66 percent of grown-ups consume three or less portions of vegetables and/or fruit per day.  The suggested portions number five.  Also, 46 percent do not eat fruit on at least three days per week.

Called a “huge cause for concern” is the survey revealing that 76 percent of adults do not know what constitutes a serving of vegetables along with two-thirds not knowing about what constitutes a portion of fruit.  Both amounts measure 80g, which is approximately a piece of fruit (measured by the handful) and/or three overfilled tablespoons in the vegetable department.

Also, this “huge cause for concern” expressed by Diabetes UK has to do with the desirability of everyone consuming a balanced, healthy diet.  This is true for people with diabetes.

According to the survey, diabetes can come into the lives of anyone, and it revealed that many of us, namely, 59 percent of us, are acquainted with someone who has the disease, with most ignoring four of six signs of diabetes.  The most set aside are increased urination, fatigue, extreme thirst, and thrush.

Emma Elvin, Clinical Advisor for Diabetes UK, said, “Simple lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, eating more fruit and vegetables and getting more exercise are an important part of managing all types of diabetes and can reduce the risk of serious of long-term complications such as blindness, amputations and even early death.

“A healthy lifestyle can also massively reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. We know that obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, with two in three people in the UK being overweight or obese, but three in five cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and being active,” she concluded.

In addition, according to the survey, two-thirds of the respondents did not have any idea of the sugar content that might be in baked beans.  The beans could contain as high as 65 percent ketchup and 66 percent salad cream, and these respondents had no sense of what the sugar content is in either.

Too much salt is linked to high blood pressure, and the survey revealed that 28 percent of consumers salt their food prior to sampling it.  High blood pressure increases the possibility of stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease.  People who wanted to eat more vegetables numbered about six in ten, or 58 percent.  Further, 28 percent said they were too expensive, with 16 percent mentioning that they tend to “go off.”  Nine per cent said they took too long to prepare and five percent said they were “too messy” to consume.

The aforementioned “Food You Love” ad promotion is hoped by the charity Diabetes UK to result in more healthy eating by inspiring people to share recipes containing those foods they love, yet healthier.  Even small changes may result in big changes with respect to diabetes control.

Support from chefs in the world of celebrity is being provided by Jamie Oliver, “Deliciously” Ella, Prue Leith, and Angela Hartnett.

Prior to 30 July 2017, videos featuring free recipes and more offers may be obtained at
www.diabetes.org.uk/feelgood-food.

Getting active, having a healthy weight, and eating well are things being emphasized during Diabetes Week by the organization.  Healthy lifestyle and diet will greatly assist in the diabetes control and work toward prevention of Type 2.

With a theme created by the charity, namely, “Know Diabetes. Fight Diabetes,” there is a definite commitment for changing the way things are.  Others are being solicited to participate by sharing stories about how to work against diabetes online and assist the group to work on the world for a less harmful disease.