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Public Health England has published new data detailing the state of the nation’s diet.
The figures from the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey were collected from 2014 to 2016.
Results show that most people eat too much saturated fat and not enough fruit, vegetables and fiber. Only a third of adults and just eight per cent of teenagers are meeting the Five A Day recommendation for fruit and vegetables!
Children are eating nearly three times as much sugar as the top limit recommended, with sugary drinks being the main culprit.
‘Poor diets’
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: “Poor diets are all too common in this country and, along with obesity, are now one of the leading causes of disease such as cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It’s clear from these data that the nation’s diet needs an overhaul.
“A healthy balanced diet is the foundation to good health. Eating Five A Day and reducing our intake of calories, sugar, and saturated fat is what many of us need to do to reduce the risk of long term health problems.”
Public Health England says that following a healthy, balanced diet and reducing calories will help reduce obesity and the economic and social burden of its consequences.
Plant-based
The good news is you can effectivley improve your diet by making just one simple change – replacing animals foods with healthier plant-based options.
Cutting out meat, fish, eggs and dairy foods is a simple and easy way to reduce calories and saturated fat while increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables and fiber.
This is why vegans tend to weigh less and have lower blood pressure and cholesterol – known risk factors for heart disease.
Plant-based diets can help adults and children alike achieve and maintain a healthy weight for life, redcing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
For more information, seeThe Incredible Vegan Health reportby Viva!.
If you want to know more about going vegan, try Viva!’s free30 Day Veganmeal plan. You can start anytime and the charity offers help and support –find the plan here.
This article was originally published by Viva! here
