Fruit & vegetables
In 2018, only 28% of adults were eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day – and the average (mean) was 3.7 portions per day. Fewer men than women meet the five-a-day guideline, and young people aged 16 to 24 are also less likely than other adults to get their five-a-day. In 2018, 18% of children aged 5 to 15 ate five standard portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
Adults who eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day
Source: NHS Digital
Base: Adults aged 16 and over
The 2019 survey did not ask adults and children about their fruit and vegetable consumption, so 2018 data are the most recent available.
The UK’s ‘five-a-day’ guidelines were developed based on a World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation that consuming 400g of fruit and vegetables per day can reduce risks of chronic diseases, e.g. heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. The guidelines state that everyone should eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.
Year-on-year fluctuations may not indicate real changes and can be within the margins of sampling error. We comment only on the changes that are more likely to reflect a real change.
Adults’ average number of portions of fruit and vegetables per day
Source: NHS Digital
Base: Adults aged 16 and over
The 2019 survey did not ask adults and children about their fruit and vegetable consumption, so 2018 data are the most recent available.
Year-on-year fluctuations may not indicate real changes and can be within the margins of sampling error. We comment only on the changes that are more likely to reflect a real change.