Why is vegetable consumption declining in Britain?

Vegetable consumption is declining in Britain due to a shift towards more accessible, highly marketed, and palatable processed foods like ready meals and snacks.

What health risks are associated with low vegetable intake?

Low vegetable intake and high consumption of ultra-processed foods are linked to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

What are considered ultra-processed foods (UPFs)?

Ultra-processed foods include items like ice cream, crisps, mass-produced bread, biscuits, many ready meals, and fizzy drinks, often high in fat, salt, and sugar.

Home / Health / Brits Ditch Veggies for Snacks, Health Alert

Brits Ditch Veggies for Snacks, Health Alert

23 Nov, 2025

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Summary

UK vegetable consumption has fallen to a 50-year low.
Processed foods like crisps and ready meals are replacing fresh vegetables.
Experts warn this shift contributes to a 'chronic disease pandemic'.

Brits Ditch Veggies for Snacks, Health Alert

British diets have seen a dramatic decline in vegetable intake, hitting a 50-year low. The average weekly consumption of fresh and processed vegetables has dropped significantly since 1974, with a notable shift towards convenience foods.

This trend is concerning health experts, chefs, and nutritionists, who highlight the rise in consumption of ultra-processed foods. These often nutrient-poor items are linked to a 'chronic disease pandemic,' displacing healthier, whole foods and contributing to diet-related illnesses.

The data indicates a substantial increase in the consumption of crisps, ice cream, and pizza compared to decades past. This change suggests a move away from home-cooked meals towards highly palatable, aggressively marketed, and accessible processed options, impacting the nation's overall health.

This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.