1 in 10 Parents think chips are healthy veg

BRITAIN’S parents are confused when it comes to fruit and veg – with 1 in 10 thinking that CHIPS count as one of their child’s five-a-day, new research reveals.

The new research by Fruit Bowl, the children’s fruit snack company, has found that 90% of children under 10 in the UK aren’t getting their five-a-day, and it appears confusion as to what does and what doesn’t count is only adding to the problem.

A third of mums and dads believe a fruit yogurt counts, and 1 in 5 think a strawberry milkshake is on the list, according to the new research.

Fewer than half know that foods such as tinned veg, frozen fruit, sweet potatoes and turnips count, and almost all were fooled by things such as spaghetti hoops, guacamole and chickpeas, which are ALL actually part of your five-a-day.

The majority (86%) of Brit parents agree that it is important their child(s)’ snacks are one of their 5 a day but it seems 4 in 10 parents think their child gets only 2-3 portions on any given day.

With children consuming up to 15 snacks each week, parents estimate that only around half of these are healthy snacks, such as fruit based and raw veg, while the rest are sweets, crisps and chocolate. The top excuses for children not eating their fruit and veg include not liking the taste (54%), the texture (25%) or the smell (21%).

Nutritional Therapist, Filomena Komodromou “Fruit and vegetables contain a variety of key nutrients vital for the growth and development of children. For example, vitamin C, found in strawberries, broccoli, peppers and kiwis, boost our immune system. They also contain fibre which is important for improving gut health.” We’ve included some of Filomena’s tips in the end notes below.

In a bid to get fruit and veg into their children’s diet, almost a quarter of parents say they hide them in other dishes, such as putting finely-chopped carrots in Spaghetti Bolognese.

And 15 per cent tell their kids that eating five-a-day will give them superpowers like Super Man.

FIVE unexpected foods that DO count towards our five-a-day:

1. Baked Beans
2. Guacamole
3. Onions
4. Hummus
5. Spaghetti Hoops

FIVE foods that DON’T count towards our five-a-day:

1. Onion rings
2. Ketchup
3. Potatoes
4. Vegetable Crisps
5. Pickled Gherkins