Nicola Elliott
It turns out Britain’s parents are still baffled by what makes up five-a-day for kids — with one in ten genuinely believing chips qualify as a healthy portion of fruit or veg. Yes, chips. Potatoes fried in oil.
That’s one of the eyebrow-raising findings from new research by Fruit Bowl, the UK’s leading children’s fruit snack company, which reveals that a staggering 90% of under-10s aren’t reaching their five-a-day for kids target. And the confusion about what counts — and what doesn’t — is only making things worse.
A third of parents think a fruit yoghurt ticks the box, while one in five reckon a strawberry milkshake makes the cut. Meanwhile, fewer than half realise that tinned veg, frozen fruit, sweet potatoes, and turnips do count — and most were fooled by humble heroes like spaghetti hoops, guacamole and chickpeas, all of which actually qualify as part of the five-a-day for kids.
The Fruit and Veg Confusion
Despite the uncertainty, 86% of British parents say they believe it’s important that their child’s snacks count toward their five-a-day. But in reality, four in ten admit their kids only manage two or three portions a day.
With the average child snacking up to 15 times a week, parents estimate that barely half of those snacks are healthy — the rest are sweets, crisps, and chocolate. The top reasons for picky eating? Taste (54%), texture (25%) and smell (21%).
Hiding the Greens (and a Few White Lies)
Faced with miniature taste critics, parents are getting crafty. Nearly a quarter sneak vegetables into meals — think finely chopped carrots in spaghetti Bolognese — while 15% go one step further, telling their children that eating fruit and veg will give them superpowers like Superman.
What Actually Counts?
According to the experts, the real list of unexpected heroes includes:
Five foods that do count towards five-a-day for kids:
- Baked beans
- Guacamole
- Onions
- Hummus
- Spaghetti hoops
And five that definitely don’t:
- Onion rings
- Ketchup
- Potatoes
- Vegetable crisps
- Pickled gherkins
Expert Advice
Nutritional Therapist Filomena Komodromou explains: “Fruit and vegetables contain a variety of key nutrients vital for the growth and development of children. For example, vitamin C, found in strawberries, broccoli, peppers and kiwis, boosts our immune system. They also contain fibre which is important for improving gut health.”
Her advice? Make healthy eating a habit, not a battle. Variety, colour, and consistency matter — and even small changes can help children reach their five-a-day for kids goal.
A Helping Hand from Fruit Bowl
Susanne Fraser, Marketing Manager at Fruit Bowl, knows the struggle all too well: “Here at Fruit Bowl we are a team of parents and know firsthand how difficult it can be to make sure our children get their five-a-day, every day, and we know it’s a struggle that lots of other parents have.
By conducting this survey, we aim to highlight this and also show busy parents that there are easy solutions, tips and tricks they can use to give their children five-a-day.”
From fruit flakes to yoghurt-coated snacks, Fruit Bowl’s range is designed to make it easier for families to hit that nutritional target — one tasty bite at a time.
For more information on Fruit Bowl and how to help your kids get their five-a-day, visit www.fruit-bowl.com.
