A new survey commissioned by Diabetes UK to promote its ‘Food you love' healthy eating campaign in Diabetes Week (Sunday 11 June to Saturday 17 June), has found that 58 per cent of adults in Northern Ireland eat three or fewer portions of fruit and/or vegetables a day – well below the recommended five portions - and 62 per cent won’t eat any fruit at least three days a week.
75 per cent in NI weren't able to identify a portion of fruit
The survey also found that seven in ten people don't know what constitutes a recommended portion of vegetables, and 75 per cent of us weren’t able to identify a portion of fruit (both of which are 80g, that’s equivalent to three heaped tbsps of vegetables or a handful of fruit like an apple or pear).
Diabetes UK has described the results of the survey as ‘a huge cause for concern’, as a healthy, balanced diet is important for everyone, including people living with diabetes. Diabetes can affect anyone - the survey highlighted that most of us in Northern Ireland (69 per cent) now know someone with the condition. Yet most people would ignore four out of six symptoms of diabetes (thrush, fatigue, increased urination and extreme thirst).
'A huge cause for concern'
Jillian Patchett, National Director for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said, “These survey results are a huge cause for concern when you recognise the fact that in the UK, 3.6 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes and 11.9 million people are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. In Northern Ireland there are over 100,000 people living with diabetes with an estimated 90 per cent of that number living with Type 2 diabetes.
“Simple lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, eating more fruit and vegetables and getting more exercise are an important part of managing all types of diabetes and can reduce the risk of serious or long term complications such as blindness, amputations and even early death.
3 in 5 cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed
“A healthy lifestyle can also massively reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. We know that obesity is one of the biggest risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, with two in three people in the UK being overweight or obese, but three in five cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and being active.” The research also revealed:
• Eight in 10 people don’t know that a tin of baked beans could contain up to five tsps of sugar
• 78 per cent of people have no idea how much sugar is in salad cream and 66 per cent don’t know how much sugar is in ketchup
• Almost half of people (49 per cent) add salt to food before even tasting it. Eating too much salt is linked to high blood pressure which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease
• Six in ten people (60 per cent) wanted to eat more vegetables but 31 per cent thought they were too expensive and 31 per cent said they tend to go off
In order to get people eating more healthily, Diabetes UK has embarked on a newFood you love advertising campaign all about healthy eating to inspire everyone with recipes featuring the food they love, only healthier.
The charity hopes the easy recipes and tips will inspire more people to make small changes that can make a big difference to how they manage their diabetes.
TheFood you love campaign is being fronted by five ‘everyday’ people cooking the recipes they love and has received celebrity support from chefs including: Jamie Oliver, Prue Leith, ‘Deliciously’ Ella and Angela Hartnett.
Free recipe videos
Sign up to receive free recipe videos and more atwww.diabetes.org.uk/feelgood-foodbefore 30 July 2017.
DuringDiabetes Week, the charity will be highlighting the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle in managing diabetes and preventing Type 2 diabetes, through eating well, getting active and maintaining a healthy weight.
Diabetes Week: Know Diabetes. Fight Diabetes
The charity’s theme forDiabetes Week2017, ‘Know Diabetes. Fight Diabetes’, reflects this call for change. They’re asking others to get involved, share their stories of how they know or fight diabetes and help the charity fight for a world where diabetes can do no harm.
