Europeans don't eat enough fruit and veg

A large part of Europeans don't eat enough fruit and veg. This was shown in research by the European council for food information (EUFIC). The world health organisation, WHO advises the consumption of over 400gr of fruit and veg per person per day. In more than half the European countries this amount isn't reached. According to figures by the European Authority for Food Safety (EFSA), Europeans eat 220gr of vegetables (including legumes and nuts) and 166gr of fruit per day. In Southern Europe more vegetables are eaten than in the north, whilst most fruit is eaten in Central and East Europe.

In Germany the recommended amount of fruit and veg per day of over 400gr is met. In Poland, Italy and Austria people eat enough fruit and veg. If fruit and vegetable juice is counted, people in Hungary and Belgium also consume enough. But as the researchers point out, not all figures from European countries are available.

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet and foresee the body of important vitamins, minerals and fibres. If you eat a lot of fruit and veg, you have a smaller risk of heart disease, diabetes type 2 and certain forms of cancer.