Research shows that the majority of Britons fail to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.  National consumer habits reveal, only 12% of the population manage to hit the five-a-day target, while another 12% do not eat any portion of fruit and vegetables.

TNS, a global market insight group finds of the average 2.5. portions eaten a day, there are significant difference between age groups, gender and social class who eat fruit and vegetables.

It is the affluent and the over 45s with children that are most likely to meet the ‘five a day’ target, while the lower income groups most likely to do without.  This is a major factor behind the nations’ obesity problems and larger dress sizes.

Other findings based on an analysis of the buying habits of 25,000 British households, including information on nutrition labels of 100,000 food and drink products bought from supermarkets, show that more than half of Briton households bought less salt last year as compared to 2006.

As well, Health of Britain - Perspective on Nutrition 2008 panelist revealed a change in mealtime habits, with 34-minute preparation time for evening meals, less than half the time of a decade ago.

TNS reports that as healthy eating habits gain more followers, snacking is on the decline.  The past two years has seen a rise of 14% youngsters cooking from scratch, while more and more families get together more frequently for shared meals each month, compared to three years ago.  Today, a typical child’s lunchbox compared to a year ago, includes 16% more fruit, 32% more yoghurt and 25% more vegetables than a year ago.