New Zealanders, are you getting your daily dose of veggies? It seems like a simple task, but the numbers reveal a different story. According's to the latest health survey, a mere 6.8% of Kiwis are hitting the recommended vegetable intake.
But wait, how much is enough? The Ministry of Health sets the bar high: five to six servings of vegetables for men and five for women, plus two servings of fruit, totaling 7+ servings daily. That's a lot of produce! But for Shanti Mathias, a self-proclaimed veg fanatic, this might not be a challenge.
Shanti decided to track her vegetable intake for a week, curious to see if she met the guidelines. She's health-conscious, plans meals around vegetables, and even grows her own. But does she reach the magic number?
The Veggie Diary:
- Day 1: Avocado toast, salad, and a spinach quiche for breakfast and lunch, followed by a fruity snack and a veggie-loaded pizza for dinner. Result: 4 vegetable servings, 2 fruit servings.
- Day 2: A colorful mix of beans, falafel, and capsicum, with a fruity twist. Dinner brings a curry and a salad. Result: 4 vegetable servings, 2 fruit servings.
- Day 3: Feijoa and apple stew, quinoa salad, and a hearty dal. A vegetable-rich day. Result: 3.5 vegetable servings, 1 fruit serving.
- Day 4: Avocado toast, leftover dal, garden-fresh celery and radishes, and a stir-fry. A balanced day. Result: 5 vegetable servings, no fruit.
- Day 5: Running low on veggies, Shanti makes do with beetroot and potatoes. A creative salad, a tofu burger, and some fruity treats. Result: 4 vegetable servings, 2 fruit servings.
- Day 6: Spinach and onion on toast, a stir-fry, and some YouTube-induced carrot munching. Result: 5 vegetable servings, 1 fruit serving.
- Day 7: A fruity breakfast, edamame and kale noodles, and a garlicky tomato salsa with grilled black bean broth. Result: 4 vegetable servings, 4 fruit servings.
Shanti's week reveals a common trend: she typically consumes enough fruit but falls slightly short on vegetables, averaging around four servings instead of five. This is where it gets interesting: Paula Dudley, from the 5+ A Day charity, believes these 'just under' individuals are crucial. The government, she argues, should focus on this group, as many are almost meeting the target.
But here's where it gets controversial: New Zealand's recommendations are higher than most countries, and the WHO suggests a more modest 5 servings of fruits and veggies combined. So, are Kiwis being set up for failure? Dudley's charity promotes eating 'more vegetables' rather than specific serving sizes. And while they provide fresh produce to schools, the long-term impact remains unknown.
Cost is a significant hurdle, but seasonal produce can help. Removing GST on fruits and veggies has been proposed but is economically tricky. The survey's impact is also unclear, as it's too early to tell if the increased recommendations have influenced eating habits.
Dudley's tip? Eat veggies at breakfast. Shanti's diary supports this, as days with veggie-filled mornings led to meeting the 5-serving goal. And the benefits are clear: just 2 servings of veggies daily can reduce heart disease risk by 19%.
So, Kiwis, are you up for the veggie challenge? It's time to add one more vegetable to your plate and see the health benefits bloom. But is this achievable for everyone? Share your thoughts below!
