How often do you get your five-a-day?

It’s World Food Day, a moment to reflect on how what we eat shapes our health and the planet – but how many of us are actually managing to get our five portions of fruit and veg each day?

That’s the question we put to people on the streets of central London. With busy lives, the rising cost of groceries and convenience food often winning out, keeping up with healthy eating guidelines can be easier said than done.

Figures published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development show the UK and Ireland jointly top a table of 33 countries comparing how many people report having five portions a day. In both countries, 33% of adults hit the target on a daily basis.

Here’s what people told us about how often they reach their five a day – and what stands in their way.

Harry: “I try my best to get my five-a-day. I feel like most things nowadays, you’ll take a look in the cart and it’ll say ‘contains one of your five-a-day’. I don’t think it’s too hard to eat healthy; you’ve just gotta avoid temptation.

“Sometimes you feel like you’ve got to be quick and snacky and go get fast food or something like that. I feel like I try and do my best to stay healthy. Cheeky night out – dirty Maccies – that’s my temptation. But I try and keep that to a minimum. Things price-wise are definitely on the rise. But for now, I’m still able to afford to get good quality food that’s healthy.”

Tate: “I try to. I’m a big berry person… strawberries, blueberries… and always try and get a salad in if I can. They’re significantly more expensive now. Healthy food is hard to find sometimes in certain grocery stores and certain areas. They don’t always have those fresh options. For me, where I live, it’s easy, but I know in other areas of my city it’s not.”

Fin: “Five is a bit of a stretch… I try my best, but recently I’ve not been so good. Fruit in the morning, and then a couple veg with my meat. Yeah, maybe I’m about four, maybe five. I think laziness gets me. Long day at work – busy schedule in general – and then going home in the evening and wanting something quick. That’s like the main issue, I think. I try not to do microwave meals or anything but during a busy time, stressful time, that’s what I do. I get less fruit and veg.

“My food bill’s not too bad – I’ve got a little Middle Eastern supermarket near me and they do all fresh fruit and veg. So it’s actually too cheap, so I’m not complaining too much. A little M&S, a little bit bougie when I want to treat myself.”

Sue: “I can get my five-a-day… but I don’t always eat them. But I have access to fresh fruits and vegetables very easily. I can easily go to the store; I have three grocery stores within a few miles of my house. I could also go to the farmer’s market downtown in my city.

“All the prices have gone up for food. It’s hard and more expensive. We think twice about maybe what kind of foods we get. But that doesn’t stop us from getting probably the nutritious foods that we need. We just manage our budget a little bit better. We don’t buy much junk food in our house – that’s important in our home.

“My husband does a lot of the cooking and we’ve gotten away from a lot of meat. We go meatless maybe three or four times a week. Which is a lot more than, say, maybe 10-15 years ago. Just because it’s healthier, less expensive, and it tastes really good. My husband does some amazing things with lentils. Flavour is the thing, 20 years I wouldn’t touch tofu, and now we eat it regularly. And it’s a little less expensive than your cuts of meat from the grocery store, of course.”

Rohan: “I think I get my five veggies and fruit every day, y’know! Always gotta get them in. Make sure I’m fit and healthy, y’know. Always have to get the fruit, the vegetables in. I try and make sure to get in in every day, most of the week. I don’t think it’s too hard to eat healthy. You’ve got to keep disciplined. That’ll lead to a longevity of life. I think fruit is quite cheap, especially in places like Tesco, when you’ve got the Clubcard. I think overall it’s quite cheap for fruit and vegetables. For food in general, some things can be a bit pricey. Like meat or microwave meals. Not the meal deal, though.”

Has the cost of groceries stopped you from getting your five-a-day? Get in touch and let us know.

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