Can you identify fruit and veg?
We're consistently drilled about eating healthily and being aware of the nutrients our body needs, yet a surprising number of Brits haven't tried everyday fruit and veg.
What's even more shocking is some even struggle to identify one from another.
A new survey of 2,000 people carried out by the UK Shallot Grower Group has revealed that an average of 1 in 10 Brits have never tried a banana. The same goes for other basic fruit and veg including carrots, lemons, onions, peas, pears, potatoes, strawberries and tomatoes. And a remarkable 1 in 20 have never tried an apple.
Despite over 75% describing their knowledge of fruit and veg as good or excellent, many also struggled to identify select fruit and veg from pictures. Mistaking a courgette for a cucumber, a shallot for an onion and a plum for a cherry were among the most common errors.
When asked what stops them trying new fruit and veg, the most common reasons given were that people don’t feel confident in preparing or cooking with them, or that they are happy with the selection that they currently use.
British-grown
Furthermore, Brits don’t know that a host of fresh produce is grown here in the UK with 72% unable to correctly identify that a list of fruit and veg including asparagus, beetroot, spinach and shallots are all home-grown.
As well as not being aware that the produce is grown in the UK, the survey has also revealed that many people haven’t even tried some of our finest British produce. 1 in 3 have never tried shallots, 1 in 4 have never tried asparagus and 1 in 5 have never tried beetroot.
Paul Cripsey, chairman of the UK Shallot Grower Group, who commissioned the survey says: “It is such a shame that people are missing out on basic fruit and veg and some fantastic UK produce. I understand the temptation to stick to what you know but there are some real differences in flavours and textures that people are missing in their food. For example, shallots are much sweeter than onions and work really well in salads, casseroles and roast dinners. Spinach is a great alternative to lettuce as the base of a salad and when cooked provides a completely different texture again. Just adding a few new fruit and veg items could easily get you out of a food rut and make mealtimes a bit more interesting.”
Education is key
In light of the recent decision to re-introduce home economy to curriculums, respondents were also asked whether they felt children would benefit from the return of cookery to school. An overwhelming 90% agreed that it would.
The lack of knowledge around fruit and vegetables across all age groups highlights the importance of educating people about food. It would also appear that the problem is increasing as the survey showed results are worse when looking at younger age groups. Numbers of 18-24 year olds that have never tried peas and potatoes increases to 1 in 6; a banana, a carrot and a strawberry to 1 in 7; and 1 in 12 of young people haven’t even tried an apple.
Main reasons given for why people are unaware of what fruit & veg is grown in the UK:
1. Not interested
2. Not learning about it at school
3. Not being clear enough in shops
Tagged in Health Nutrition Diet fruit Healthy eating Healthy Food