5-a-Day: Do your kids know more than you?

According to a new survey, one in three parents say their children know more about healthy eating campaigns than they do.

The survey conducted by the Department of Health, found that parents also believe rising food prices put five portions of fruit and vegetables a day out of their reach.

“Children are aware of what they can and cannot eat, through school campaigns, but the survey results suggest that many parents are not.”

The survey of 1,000 parents in England also revealed three-quarters of them were unaware that frozen and canned varieties counted towards the total.
The five-a-day fruit and veg philosophy is recommended to people across the UK to improve overall health and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. However, research suggests that only just over half of the population eat this amount.

Children are aware of what they can and cannot eat, through school campaigns, but the survey results suggest that many parents are not.

50% did not know that vegetables in cooked food – such as a can of tomatoes in spaghetti bolognese – also counted towards the total. Or that potatoes and other starchy foods do not count towards the recommended target.