Campaign to focus on vegetables as 'fast food'

Sales of vegetables this year are up by 6 per cent on 2002 at €311 million, according to the Department of Health.

Sales of vegetables this year are up by 6 per cent on 2002 at €311 million, according to the Department of Health.

The Department's Health Promotion Unit and Bord Glas this morning unveiled the second phase of a healthy eating campaign focusing on the benefits of vegetables. The campaign, Vegetables - Because Fast Food Comes Naturally- runs from September 7th to 13th.

Some 99 per cent of Irish households spend an average of €243 per annum on vetgetables, or €2.61 per shopping trip.

Research shows the main contributors to total vegetable retail sales are carrots at €45 million, mushrooms at €27 million, onions at €26 million and broccoli at €20 million.

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However, the recent SLAN report, the national health and lifestyle survey, reveals that not enough Irish children consume the recommended four or more portions of fruit and/or vegetables each day.

The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, said: "Numerous health benefits can be derived from eating vegetables with four or more portions of fruit and or vegetables assisting in the prevention of heart disease and some cancers.

"Eating four or more portions of fruit and vegetables each day in preference to high calorie, high fat snack foods can also help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

"For this campaign I am encouraging everyone, especially young people, to eat at least one extra portion of vegetables, including salad vegetables, each day. Healthy eating is a lifestyle choice and one which should be considered by all who care about good health."

Next week's health initiative will involve local media campaigns and events in schools, shops, hospitals and workplaces. It will particularly target younger people, who are more likely to consume fast food and eat "on the go", according to the campaign organisers.