Fruits and vegetables: practicality at the expense of freshness?

According to the 7th wave of the study on the behavior and food consumption of the French , we are poor students in nutrition. Indeed, we are only 27% to actually consume the 5 fruits and vegetables recommended by the PNNS (national program nutrition health).

Young people, the main losers of fruits and vegetables

Young people willingly admit not to consume the fruits and vegetables necessary for a good nutrition for lack of practicality .

Having to peel, wash, pit or prepare the latter is a brake for new generations, who have a clear preference for "practical" products whose storage date is not limited to 2 or 3 days. 'Clean' foods that do not have juices that can run on hands or stain clothes are also preferred .

Would the youth be impatient and mijaured? No, these first observations are only a reflection of the new consumption patterns of our society , where time is for many a luxury.

However, if the consumption of fresh fruit is minimal, it is offset by the 'non fresh' fruits packaged in various forms such as yogurts and compotes to drink, in sachets or bottles, which seem to meet the need of convenience that we have just received. recall.

The Crédoc thus finds a significant generational gap : each generation consumes fewer fruits and vegetables than the previous one.

Vegetables, preferred to fruits?

Pascale Hébel, director of the Crédoc Consumption Department, confirms the trend that vegetables are more present in family menus than fruits. She points to the 'single dish', which has gradually (especially in recent years) taken the place of the traditional 'starter-dessert' until then presented during meals. The latter are no longer closed by a fruit, but often by a yoghurt or dessert cream, while vegetables are usually present in the main course.

5 fruits and vegetables a day: who respects this recommendation?

Although most of the French have heard of the public awareness campaigns launched since 2001 , they have not all understood and applied the messages of the latter.

According to the Crédoc study, the socio-professional category, the level of education and the origin impact the consumption of fruits and vegetables . Indeed, the CSP would eat more than the workers and employees at the head of large families. Similarly, educated adults, children and adolescents are the leading consumers of plant-based foods. Children from foreign households also join this group, unlike French children with sedentary lifestyles living in large cities.

Finally, another observation: the more households have a large number of members, the lower the consumption of fruit is high . However, this increases when both parents are active.

As a reminder, a portion corresponds to 80g or 100g of fruit , or about a handful or a compote.