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.
Children aged 5 to 15 who eat five or more portions of fruit and vegetables per day
Source: NHS Digital
Base: Children aged 5-15
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 ‘five-a-day’ 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.
Children’s average number of portions of fruit and vegetables per day, aged 5 to 15
Source: NHS Digital
Base: Children aged 5-15
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.