BNF survey reveals confusion about healthy eating
The survey found that nearly a quarter (24%) of primary schoolchildren (aged 7-11 years) and 17% of older children (11-16 years) think that chicken counts towards your five a day, while nearly a fifth (19%) of primary school children thinking that cheese also counts.
Only 38% of all UK adults and 23% of older children know that carrots contain fibre, while only 60% of secondary schoolchildren and 36% of primary schoolchildren believe that wholemeal bread is a source of fibre. Nearly a quarter (24%) of all schoolchildren think that chicken is a source of fibre, although it provides no fibre at all.
Almost 80% of adults, 91% of secondary schoolchildren and 70% of primary schoolchildren correctly say that chicken provides protein. Only half of all adults, 46% of older children and 29% of younger children think that chickpeas are a source of protein.
One third of adults and more than half (55%) of schoolchildren reported that they have never tried lentils, one third of adults and 46% of schoolchildren have never tried chickpeas and over a quarter of adults and 48% of children have never tried kidney beans.
Sara Stanner, science director at British Nutrition Foundation, commented: “Government advice is for us all to eat more plant-based foods because they’re good for us and for the environment. It is concerning that there is confusion across the UK about the nutritional contents of some common foods, including plant-based foods.
“Lack of knowledge means people are less empowered to make informed choices, and achieving a healthy diet, with a good balance of the right types of foods, is more difficult if you don’t know which key nutrients the foods that we eat provide.”
Now in its tenth year, the British Nutrition Foundation’s Healthy Eating Week (13-17 June 2022) will see millions of adults and children participating in a series of daily challenges linked to the theme ‘Eat well for you and the planet’, which aims to raise awareness about healthier and more sustainable diets and empower people to make positive changes.
BNF’s Healthy Eating Week challenges:
- Focus on fibre
- Get at least five a day
- Stay hydrated
- Vary your protein
- Reduce food waste