Aussie diet shame revealed in CSIRO report

It turns out Australia is not as healthy as it thinks.

While Australia is home to an abundance of fresh produce, a new report from the CSIRO has found that four in five Aussies aren’t eating enough fruit and vegetables.

The study, which is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Australia, found that while women eat better than their male counterparts, only 25 per cent are eating enough fruits and veggies. Comparatively, only 15 per cent of men are meeting their daily recommendation of fresh produce.

Young adults and the unemployed were named as the worst offenders, with retirees coming out on top as the best performers and more likely to meet the recommended dietary guidelines.

CSIRO Research Director and co-author of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Professor Noakes says the report is worrying and that Aussies need to drastically improve their diet.

“Many Aussies believe themselves to be healthy, yet this report shows the majority of those surveyed are not getting all the beneficial nutrients from fruit and vegetables needed for a healthy, balanced diet,” he said.

With the rise in popularity of smoothies and juice bars over the past decade, more people are meeting the daily fruit requirement than vegetable requirement.

Experts have previously warned against eating too much fruit because of the high sugar content, saying vegetables are even more important when it comes to maintaining healthy body function and keeping the metabolism and bowels moving.

With increasing numbers in chronic health issues like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and obesity all putting a strain on the health system, Professor Noakes says diet is one of the easiest ways to relive the pressure and improve Australians’ health across the board.

“Increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables we eat is one of the simplest ways Australians can improve their health and wellbeing today as well as combat the growing rates of obesity and lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and a third of all cancers,” Professor Noakes explained.

“Diets high in fruit and vegetables have been shown to improve psychological and physical markers of wellbeing. In particular, phytochemicals from fruit and vegetables reduce systemic inflammation which can lead to chronic disease.”

Do you fruit and vegetables every day? Why do you think people are eating less fresh produce these days?