Children are eating 6x more sugary treats and not getting their 5-a-day out of school

NHS England has reported that only 18% of children aged 5 to 15 eat their five standard portions of fruit and vegetables per day and since the lockdown has been implemented there has been reports showing they are eating even less.

Research has shown that children who receive free school meals are reporting a significant drop in their intake of fruit and veg. Studies reported that almost half of pupils (45%) who receive free school meals did not eat any fruit or veg over a three-day period. Children in the same category also reported a higher intake of sugary drinks and snacks, increasing from an average of one over the three days when they were at school to six portions across three days at home during lockdown.

Children who don’t incorporate enough fruit and veg into their diet may develop nutrient deficiencies and are at greater risk of developing heart disease and bowel cancer later in life. Studies have even emerged suggesting that children who are lacking in this food group are 53% more likely to develop asthma.

Aston spoke to Victoria Cliff, health expert and manager at Worldwide Fruit Ltd to discuss the issue and give advice on how we can encourage our kids to make healthier choices:

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