Asda reveals only a quarter of adults eat their five-a-day

As more than a third of Brits vow to eat healthier this month, Asda reveals that almost three quarters (73 per cent) aren’t eating the recommended five-a-day. Around seven in 10 (67 per cent) claim healthy eating is a challenge - with one in 10 admitting they find it a constant struggle.

The data highlights a number of reasons that Brits find it difficult to get their five-a-day. Some lack confidence around cooking from scratch, with 29 per cent admitting it’s because they don’t know how, a third (33 per cent) felt that veg can be too expensive, and 19 per cent said that veg based meals are boring

The research also revealed that almost half (48 per cent) admit to throwing uneaten veg away and more than a third (38 per cent) admit to emptying the fridge out before the ‘use by’ date comes around, despite the Food Standards Agency confirming it’s safe to consume before, or on, the ‘use by’ date.

To combat the difficulties in making healthier meal choices and help prevent food waste, Asda has worked with its nutritionists and chefs to develop six mouth-watering ‘Plant Pot’ recipes — containing up to five of your five-a-day per meal and starting from as little as 80p per portion. All six recipes are designed to be made in one pot, so that even beginner chefs and the most time-stretched of parents can enjoy, and the versatility ensures whatever is left in the fridge can be added – putting an end to throwing away food!

Beth Fowler, Nutrition Manager at Asda, says: “We’re passionate about making healthy and sustainable choices easy for our customers, including eating a more plant-rich diet. We’re on a mission to get families across the country eating more vegetables, to hit their five-a-day. With only a quarter of adults hitting their daily recommendation, we’re keen to show just how affordable, easy and tasty it can be to eat healthily. We’ve worked alongside our chefs to develop six, easy-to-create nutritionally balanced recipes that help customers reach their five-a-day one meal at a time!”

The research also unveiled the most and least purchased fruit and veg:

Most bought	Least bought
1. Carrots2. Bananas3. Tomatoes4. Onions5. Apples	1. Aubergines2. Pomegranate3. Butternut squash4. Avocado5. Olives

Andrew Johnston, Innovation Chef at Asda, comments: “It is important for us to create meal options that, as well as being tasty and nutritious, are also affordable for our customers. Our new Vegetable Tray Bake with Roast Garlic dressing is just 80p per portion, can be made in under an hour and includes four out of the recommended five-a-day.

“We want to show our customers how easy it can be to incorporate vegetables they may not usually pick up on their weekly shop, as well as items that can sometimes go to waste. Our new Roasted Vegetable & Chickpea Inspired Tagine includes some of these products - aubergines and butternut squash.”

Asda’s ‘Plant Pot’ recipe collection is available from 4th January via asda.com, and in store from 13th January. For more information visit https://groceries.asda.com/recipes/collections/curated/plant-pot-recipes