"Daily Consumption of Five Fruits and Vegetables": While the French are Familiar with the Slogan, They Fall Short in Practice
Chowing Down: The French Balance (Or Lack Thereof)
Hey there! You know that catchy saying, "Five a day"? Not so much a daily affair for the French, it seems. According to a survey by Santé publique France (SPF), published in the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, only 24% of adult women and 18% of men in France manage to hit the mark on daily fruit and vegetable consumption.
Not keeping up can have some serious health consequences. It's no secret that poor diet is one of the leading risk factors for preventable chronic diseases, contributing to type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, and causing nearly one in five preventable deaths worldwide.
The survey, carried out by telephone in late 2021 among over 24,000 adults aged 18 to 85, incorporated a detailed questionnaire on eating habits for the first time. But the methodology employed doesn't enable precise evaluation of the exact quantities consumed or tracking of consumption changes.
Now, you might be wondering about the rest of the story. Well, according to recent data from Le Monde (April 2025), nearly 25% of women and 18% of men in France consume the recommended five daily portions of fruits and vegetables. This data reflects a persistent issue of inadequate consumption across the globe. In fact, studies show that a staggering 75% of adolescents in 193,388 surveyed cases across multiple countries fall short of recommendations.
When it comes to France's dietary guidelines, they emphasize at least five 80–100g portions of fruits and veggies daily, with a public health focus on reducing pesticide exposure through production methods. Interestingly, the local blueberry market has seen growth, with an annual per capita consumption of 150g, but there's a clear preference for seasonal and local produce over imported options.
So, there you have it. A salient snapshot of the French diet. It's crucial to remember that while the data presented is from a survey by Santé publique France, the recent figures from Le Monde offer a proxy for the current trends in France. Eat your fruits and vegetables, folks! Your health is worth it.
- Despite the popular advice of eating five fruits and vegetables daily, only 24% of adult women and 18% of men in France consistently achieve this goal, according to a survey by Santé publique France (SPF).
- Poor diet is a significant contributor to preventable chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, accounting for nearly one in five preventable deaths worldwide.
- The SPF survey, conducted in late 2021, included a detailed questionnaire on eating habits for the first time, although it doesn't provide precise quantities consumed or track consumption changes.
- Recent data from Le Monde (April 2025) indicates that nearly 25% of women and 18% of men in France consume the recommended five daily portions of fruits and vegetables, demonstrating a persistent global issue of inadequate consumption.
- France's dietary guidelines promote at least five 80–100g portions of fruits and vegetables daily, with a focus on reducing pesticide exposure through local and seasonal produce.
- The local blueberry market in France has seen growth, with an annual per capita consumption of 150g, demonstrating a preference for locally-sourced produce over imported options.
- Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential for optimal health and wellness, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancers and cardiovascular diseases, and improving cardiovascular health through fitness, exercise, and proper nutrition.
