With all the talk about the problems of obesity, a burgeoning ageing population and rising death rates within certain groups, it is easy to forget we do have answers. Earlier this week BBC Health did a piece on 5 a day. I believe this simple guideline is an understated solution.
Fresh nature made food, which will make a difference to health, remains the one weapon that most people in the developing world have access too. However people need guidelines when changing their diet, otherwise they can be put off. Ultimately the solution can seem bigger than the problem and sticking with what you know will seem easier.
For example: which food, how often, fresh, frozen, which vegetables, what fruit, is meat okay? All these questions can deter someone from even starting to attempt to make their diet healthier. The biggest question “how much fresh food do I need to eat, to make that important difference to my health” has always needed an answer the public could understand.
This is where the 5 a day guideline comes in. Michael Mosley of Radio 4 reported that the term appeared around the policy maker’s table in the 1980’s having started its journey in the States. In 2003, Michael reported, the government adopted it as a promotional tool to combat rising levels of ill health in the UK.
However, even 10 years later most people barely eat 3 pieces of fruit or vegetables on a daily basis.
The infographic supplied by Fruit4London (a company based in London delivering fruit, which tastes much better than flowers!), shows this clearly. It appears that only 24% of all women and 21% of men get their 5 a day. Closer inspection into the age groups graph suggest that the youngest members of the population are eating the least. Not good.
I believe the biggest challenge is understanding what constitutes one of the 5 a day and then how to get it.
Hannah Briggs of BBC Food did a good piece on the 18th March showing ‘Five ways to up your five a day’. She mentions: including fruit at breakfast, making snacks from leftovers, including soups regularly, choosing fruit desserts and varying fruit and veg.
It’s not actually difficult to eat more of these health rescuing foods but if you are not used to it, you may need a little help. All the recipes on my site are devoted to getting more fruit and veg into the diet every day at every meal. Have a look at:Breakfast Frittata, Sea Bass with fennel and steamed ‘fried’ vegetables or Chicken with vegetable gravy to get the idea.
You don’t need to become a health nut (although it helps) to enjoy eating this way; you do need to become creative.
The benefits are huge! Over time, you will feel different, energy levels can rise, bowel function improves (sorry but an important part of being healthy!) and weight management can seem easier too.
The bad news is, in my opinion 5 a day is a minimum to sustain health not necessarily improve it. However the good news; once you start you won’t regret it and eating more will be easy.