Public Health England have recently published a report that reveals some interesting statistics on the average UK diet today.
The results (which were collected between 2014 and 2016) show that as a society we are eating too much saturated fat and not enough fruits and vegetables. For as much as we are told to eat our 5-a-day, the study reports that only a third of adults reach this. This becomes even more stark as a mere 8% of teenagers have the recommended 5-a-day.
As well as not consuming enough fruit and vegetables, we are also not eating enough fibre. It is recommended that an adult eat 30g per day of fibre, however we are only managing to get to an average consumption of 19g per day.
There is also concern with how much sugar children are consuming.
The risks
The risks of a diet high in sugar and saturated fats can include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and some cancers.
“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.”
Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at PHE
A simple solution?
A plant-based diet! By transitioning to a balanced wholefoods plant-based diet, the risk of some of the most prevalent disease and health concerns can be drastically reduced and your fibre intake is likely to increase greatly.
“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.”
Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at PHE
PHE have stated that following a healthy, balanced diet and reducing calories will help reduce obesity and the economic and social burden of its consequences.
Start your journey
By going meat-free, ditching dairy and eggs and following a wholefood plant-based diet, you could be reducing your saturated fat, increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, increasing your fibre consumption as well as reducing you sugar intake. All in one swift move!
