A Tasmanian not-for-profit has started a new project to provide a healthy sit-down lunch for students in 15 schools across the state. But will it we enough? The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report has found most adults do not consume the recommended number of veggies.
In fact, fewer than one in ten adults are eating enough greens each day: 96 percent of men and 87 percent of women do not eat enough vegetables. Accredited Sports Dietitian Gaye Rutherford: "Vegetables are not as much of a convenience food, if you are on the go or looking for really easy portable options, they don't tend to be the first thing people reach for. Time constraints can sometimes become a barrier to eating meals or snacks with vegetables."
The cost of fresh produce is also another reason why some people are ditching their healthy eating habits, and in other cases, it is because of a lack of access to fresh fruit or vegetables.
With a population living longer, Australia is experiencing higher rates of chronic and aging-related conditions like dementia, the latest snapshot from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says. Industry experts say that should not put people off eating vegetables, but it does mean it is more important than ever to buy what is in season.
