Advice to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day has been peddled since the 1990s.
Yet 95 per cent of Britons don't realise that pizza counts as one of our recommended five portions.
And six out of ten are also unaware beans on toast are even allowed.
That is, according to a poll which found a lack of understanding over what qualifies and how much should be eaten is as much to blame as the cost of food.
The survey, carried out by recipe box firm Gousto, also showed three in four Brits don't manage to hit the target - with a dislike of vegetables in favour of carb-laden food such as chips, potatoes and pasta, another excuse.
The survey, carried out by recipe box firm Gousto, also showed three in four Brits don't manage to hit the target - with a dislike of vegetables in favour of carb-laden food like chips, potatoes and pasta, another excuse
Only one in 20 knew that just the basic sauce topping on pizza counts as a five-a-day portion, with the possibility of extra credit if there's other veg on top in the choice of pizza.
Six out of ten also didn't think baked beans should be allowed, when they can be - so even a breakfast fry-up could enable one to be ticked off.
But one in four people wrongly thought nuts count, and 37 per cent of those quizzed in the study mistakenly thought potatoes qualify.
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The research also found 22 per cent of people admit they hadn't managed to hit their five on any day in the past year.
In another misunderstanding, 56 per cent didn't credit sweet potatoes, which can be regarded as one of the five.
The main barrier stated for failure to hit the daily recommendation was cost - cited by 36 per cent.
But one in three were just unsure what does or doesn't count, and four out of five wondered how much they would need to eat to constitute a portion.
A shocking 48 per cent of those surveyed confessed they hadn't even managed to meet the recommended amount once in the past month.
Nutritionist Ellie Bain said: 'People say their most important health goal is to eat more veg, but it's not that easy.
'Different colours of fruit and veg means they have different health benefits. This is because the colours are created by their fibre, antioxidants, vitamin and mineral content.
'It's recommended that we eat five fruits and vegetables a day for a reason – they offer an array of health benefits from weight management and reduced risk of diseases.'
While pizza and fry-ups might tick a portion off, relying on them too regularly however might not keep the weight off.
Just over half of those asked who did eat their five also thought they felt healthier as a result, the survey found.
The five a day target was introduced in the US in 1990 and the UK in 2003.
There is overwhelming evidence of the health benefits of eating more fruit and veg - and in recent years many scientists have argued the guidance should be raised from five to seven or even ten portions a day.
WHAT SHOULD A BALANCED DIET LOOK LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain, according to the NHS
• Eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit and vegetables count
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally wholegrain
• 30 grams of fibre a day: This is the same as eating all of the following: Five portions of fruit and vegetables, two whole-wheat cereal biscuits, two thick slices of wholemeal bread and large baked potato with the skin on
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks), choosing lower fat and lower sugar options
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including two portions of fish every week, one of which should be oily)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consuming in small amounts
• Drink six to eight cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6g of salt and 20g of saturated fat for women or 30g for men a day
Source: NHS Eatwell Guide
FAQs
At a glance: what counts? 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables counts as 1 portion of your 5 A Day (but not potatoes and some other starchy foods). For tinned or canned fruit and vegetables, choose those in natural juice or water, with no added sugar or salt.
Which of these foods does not count towards your five a day? ›
Potatoes don't count towards your 5 A Day. This is the same for yams, cassava and plantain, too. They're classified nutritionally as a starchy food, because when they're eaten as part of a meal they're usually used in place of other sources of starch, such as bread, rice or pasta.
What is the 5-a-day food rule? ›
The World Health Organization and the Department of Health continue to recommend that we should all be aiming to eat at least five portions of a wide variety of fruit and vegetables a day – just over a third of the food we eat each day. Children should also be encouraged to eat at least five different portions a day.
Does salad count as 5-a-day? ›
Vegetables in ready-made salad still count as a portion if there's 80g of vegetables. But some ready-made salads contain little in the way of vegetables, and a lot of mayo, dressings or other ingredients (like bacon) that are high in fat and salt.
Does rice count as one of your 5-a-day? ›
Tips for eating more plant foods
Pulses such as lentils, peas and beans all count towards your 5 A DAY. Grains and cereals such as rice, oats, pasta, bread, couscous and unsweetened breakfast cereals. Opt for wholegrain varieties and limit highly processed foods, such as cakes and pastries.
Do baked beans count as 5-a-day? ›
Baked beans
Any beans or lentils will count towards your 5-a-day, and that includes baked beans. Make sure you choose low-sugar and low-salt versions or you could try making your own.
Do bananas count towards 5-a-day? ›
One portion is a single piece of fruit, such as an apple, banana, pear, orange or nectarine. One portion could be half a grapefruit, a slice of papaya, a slice of melon, one large slice of pineapple or two slices of mango.
Can I eat leftovers on day 5? ›
Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.
Do onions count as 5 A Day? ›
"Onions form the base of many dishes, so you may forget that they can actually count towards your 5-a-day," points out dietitian Ro. So onions do count as a vegetable, and not just a flavour enhancer. Plus, they're low in calories and a source of fibre.
Does eating 5 of the same fruit count as 5 A Day? ›
To get the most out of your 5 A Day, your 5 portions should include a variety of fruit and vegetables. This is because different fruits and vegetables contain different combinations of fibre, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Almost all fruit and vegetables count towards your 5 A Day.
When eaten as part of a meal, potatoes are generally used in place of other sources of starch, such as bread, pasta or rice. Because of this, they don't count towards your 5 A Day. Other vegetables that don't count towards your 5 A Day are yams, cassava and plantain. They're also usually eaten as starchy foods.
Do pickles count towards 5 a day? ›
potatoes don't count as part of your five a day, unless they are sweet potatoes. Pickled or salty vegetables (for example gherkins or olives), processed fruits or vegetables like jam or yoghurt, and other starchy vegetables like plantain also do not count.
Does soup count as 1 of your 5 a day? ›
Soup can be a wonderful way to reach your 5-a-day, especially if you make it yourself. Pack in the vegetables, lentils and beans to easily get two portions per serving. This hearty, low-calorie meatball & tomato soup counts as an impressive three of your 5-a-day and makes a substantial meal.
Which foods do not count as the 5 a day? ›
Potatoes, yam, plantain and cassava do not count, although sweet potatoes and squash do. The reason for this is that regular white potatoes and yam are often included as the starchy component of a meal, replacing pasta, rice, bread and noodles.
Do smoothies count as 5 a day? ›
Smoothies count as no more than one of your 5-a-day, even if you've put five different fruit and veg in them. And if you have a glass of juice on the same day, you cannot count them both.
Do peppers count as 5 a day? ›
Medium-to-large vegetables: ½ to 1 whole piece
Around ½ – 1 courgette, pepper or leek counts as 1 of your 5 A DAY. 1 carrot, parsnip or sweet potato also counts.
What are the 5-a-day foods? ›
At a glance: what counts? 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables counts as 1 portion of your 5 A Day (but not potatoes and some other starchy foods). For tinned or canned fruit and vegetables, choose those in natural juice or water, with no added sugar or salt.
What are the daily 5 foods? ›
The 5 healthy food groups are vegetables and legumes, fruit, cereals and grain foods, dairy and dairy alternatives, and meat and meat alternatives.
Do pickles count towards 5-a-day? ›
potatoes don't count as part of your five a day, unless they are sweet potatoes. Pickled or salty vegetables (for example gherkins or olives), processed fruits or vegetables like jam or yoghurt, and other starchy vegetables like plantain also do not count.
Does jam count as 5-a-day? ›
“There are some surprising foods like potatoes, fruit juice and jam which don't count towards the five a day, although they are still important as part of a balanced diet.
