A new survey commissioned by Diabetes UK to promote its ‘Food you love' healthy eating campaign in Diabetes Week (running until Saturday 17 June), has found that 66% of adults eat three or fewer portions of fruit and/or vegetables a day – well below the recommended five portions - and 46% won’t eat any fruit at least three days a week. 

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 (59 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).

Emma Elvin, Clinical Advisor for Diabetes UK, 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.

“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 of long term complications such as blindness, amputations and even early death.”

“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.” 

In order to get people eating more healthily, Diabetes UK has embarked on a new ‘Food you love’ advertising campaign all about healthy eating to inspire everyone with recipes featuring the food they love, only healthier. The 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.  

During Diabetes Week, the charity will be highlighting the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle in managing diabetesand preventing Type 2, through eating well, getting active and maintaining a healthy weight.