Only one in five eats five a day

News from the BBC health team that is both sad and encouraging:

Just one in five Britons eats the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, a poll for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) suggests. The Department of Health first launched its five-a-day campaign in 2003.

Sad to think of all the millions wasted on this campaign, but encouraging that Britons aren't yet so submissive as to rush out and do whatever the government tells them.

The article goes on to quote Kate Mendoza, head of education for the WCRF, explaining what healthy eating entails:

A diet based on plant foods, such as wholegrains and pulses as well as fruit and vegetables, can reduce cancer risk as research shows they protect against a range of cancers. Recent research has confirmed that foods containing fibre reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

Never mind meat. Eat your whole grains and pulses.

A sidebar elaborates:

WHAT IS 'FIVE A DAY'?

• It equals around 400g of fruit and/or veg
• One portion is 80g
• A portion equals two or more small fruits ie (sic) satsumas, one medium-sized fruit ie (sic) an apple or banana, or half a grapefruit or one large slice of melon
• A portion of veg would be two broccoli spears or three heaped tablespoons of cooked vegetables such as carrots, peas or sweetcorn
• Potatoes do not count
• But fresh, frozen, tinned and dried fruit and vegetables do
• Smoothies can count for up to two of your five a day
• Pulses and beans count as one portion - no matter how much you eat 

Now, I don't actually know what the ideal diet is, but I do know that opinions differ wildly. If we're unfortunate enough to have a nanny state in 50 years time, it will be interesting to see what guidance they give.