Jane Symons

WITH supermarkets full of superfoods and a constant barrage of information about how to go vegan or “eat clean”, it has never been simpler to eat well.

But new research reveals that if you’re one of the 60% of adults who thinks they eat healthily, you’re probably wrong.

Despite the fact that millions of pounds have been spent on the Change4Life and 5 A Day campaigns to promote the benefits of healthy eating, our habits have actually become worse over the past 20 years.

The British Medical Association estimates that unhealthy diets send 70,000 people to an early grave every year and now new analysis of government data released today, and seen exclusively by the Daily Mirror, shows that consumption of fruit and vegetables is falling, while the number of people failing to get the minimum levels of important nutrients is rising.

“We are a nation in dietary denial,” warns public health nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire. Research for the Health & Food Supplements Information Service found that 72% of us think we know more about healthy eating and nutrition than we did 20 years ago, while 60% would describe their diet as good or excellent.

The official data, however, paints a very different picture. Two out of three adults are not eating their five portions of fruit and vegetables each day and we are not even close to achieving the recommended intakes of fibre and oily fish.

The 5 A Day campaign was launched 16 years ago and has been very successful at raising awareness – nine out of 10 people know its recommendations. But it hasn’t improved intakes as 92% of teens and 69% of working-age adults are not consuming the recommended levels. And that’s not the only serious shortfall. Analysis of official data reveals there have been substantial drops in our intake of vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, riboflavin, folate, calcium, magnesium, iodine, selenium and potassium.

Dr Derbyshire says: “Given that vitamins and minerals are essential for health, the shortfall in nutrients across all age groups is a real worry. Consumers are not necessarily accessing accurate, evidence-based information to make the right dietary decisions.”

More people than ever are turning to blogs and social media to inspire their healthy eating, but we should be avoiding the advice of influencers if we want to eat well.

Researchers at Glasgow University found that just one out of nine high-profile bloggers gave accurate Vitamin A Important for skin, sight and wound healing, but intakes have fallen by 21% over the past 20 years. Signs of a deficiency include dry hair and broken nails. Vitamin A is abundant in milk, eggs and oily fish. Vitamin D Essential for healthy bones and teeth, and strengthens our immune system. It’s found in oily fish, red meat, eggs and some fortified breakfast cereals — but intakes have fallen by 22%. All children should take a supplement with vitamin A, C and D from six months to age five, and adults should take a 10mcg dietary advice. Lead author Christina Sabbagh reveals: “We found that the majority presented opinion as fact, and failed to meet UK nutritional criteria.”

Dr Carrie Ruxton, dietitian and adviser to the Health & Food Supplements Information Service, adds: “Instead of focusing on the big picture and the basics, we are getting hung up on single nutrients like sugar or fat.

“If one of the ways to improve intakes is to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement, plus an omega-3, on top of trying to have a healthy diet, I don’t have a problem with that. But a lot of the authorities are stuck on diet-only nutrition methods even though it’s clearly not working.” ■ A full copy of the report is available at hsis.org

vitamin D supplement from September to April. Folate Also known as folic acid or vitamin B12, it is found in leafy greens, peas and chickpeas. It helps reduce fatigue, and women planning to become pregnant are advised to take 400mcg a day. Folate intakes have fallen 10%. Calcium Keeps bones and teeth healthy, and supports muscle function. Dairy products provide the most readily absorbed sources, but 21% of adults have stopped or reduced their consumption of dairy foods. Calcium intakes have fallen 10%.

Instead of focusing on the big picture, we’re getting hung up on single nutrients like sugar or fat

Riboflavin Also know vitamin B2, it helps metabolise energy an supports the nervous system. Milk, eggs and fortified cereals the best diet sources. Iron A cruc building blo for red bloo cells and important for energy. Red meat is th most readily absorbed source. More than half of teen girls and a quarter of women hav intakes below the minimum recommend level.

Potassium Regulates blood pressure and muscle function. Food sources include banan nuts and shellfish, but intakes are down 4%.