Princess’s Leisure and Life+Style

Chips don’t count as ‘daily fruit and vegetables’

Britons are eating starchy chips, roast potatoes and mash to get their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day - unaware that potatoes don’t count towards their daily intake, a report has warned.

The survey by the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) estimates two thirds of Britons - 38 million people -still eat potatoes to contribute to their daily fruit and vegetables, at the expense of healthy greens.

Over two thirds of the 3,300 people surveyed admitted they were confused by advice on health and nutrition, saying conflicting messages make them disregard many guidelines.

The report says the statistics reflect FSA research which found, on average, only 14 per cent of Britons eat the recommended five portions or fruit and vegetables every day.

The HFMA’s survey also examined other areas relating to the health of the nation, revealing women are more likely to boost their vitamin and mineral intake using supplements than men, with 40 per cent of women taking vitamins and minerals more than five times a week compared with 30 per cent of men.