NZ failing fruit and vege test

By AMANDA CAMERON

New Zealanders are not eating as healthily as they think they are.

A new report says that after 10 years of campaigning, most people still haven't got the message about eating enough fruit and vegetables.

The Ministry of Health recommends three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit a day to reduce the risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, some cancers, diabetes and hypertension.

The report, from the Cancer Society and Sport and Recreation New Zealand, says most Kiwis know they should eat fruit and vegetables, but about half do not eat the recommended amount.

The two organisations bodies examined New Zealanders' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs on fruit and vegetable consumption using responses from 8000 adults in more than 14,000 households surveyed last year.

It focused on a "don't but might" group of more than 3000 people who did not eat enough fruit and vegetables, but might in the next six months.

People most commonly cited cost and convenience as the main reasons for not eating enough fruit and vegetables.

But two-thirds did not know that frozen and canned fruit and vegetables were as beneficial as fresh equivalents.

Carol Gibb, executive officer of the Dietetic Association and a dietician, says confusion about frozen and canned produce in a healthy diet is a barrier to people eating enough fruit and vegetables.

"That's a real concern," she said.

"We would really like the message to be pushed that it doesn't have to be fresh - it can be canned or frozen."

But Ms Gibb acknowledges that eating enough fruit and vegetables isn't necessarily easy.

"It's something that requires work. You have to think about it and plan what to eat and have things in the cupboard."

The senior nutritionist for Watties Heinz, Julie Dick, said the food company's products had a "counting device" so consumers could tell how many servings were in their canned or frozen fruit or vegetables.

"We're hoping it will build awareness that canned and frozen do count," she said.

The National Heart Foundation's chief dietician, David Roberts, said the interesting find was that people were not eating enough fruit and vegetables even though they know they should eat more.

"Knowledge does not necessarily translate into behaviour," he said.

He hoped the survey results would be used to improve eating habits by targeting specific groups in the population.

What we're eating

Christine Miller, 48, Stanmore Bay, customer service officer. Eats one or two servings of fruit and veges a day.

"I'm a shocker. I'm lazy ... It's not the cost, it's the effort."

Brendan Palleson, 24, Mt Eden, customer service officer. Eats three to four servings of fruit and veges a day.

"It's probably adequate but not enough."

Nicola Tan, 20, Mt Eden, student. Eats one to two servings of veges a day.

"[Fresh produce] doesn't keep - that's the main problem."

Ricki Harley, 30, Mt Eden, machine operator. Eats about two servings of fruit and veges a day.

"I'm feeling pretty healthy. I don't think I'm lacking in anything."

Susan Smith, 37, Grey Lynn, student, mother of two. Eats three to five servings of fruit and veges a day. Main reason for not eating more:

"It's the cost."