Mind The Nutrient Gap

Thousands of women following supposedly healthy diets could be missing out on key nutrients, suggests new research. Are you? Here’s how to get what you need from your food

- Charlotte Haigh

So you eat a mainly plant-based diet, avoid starchy carbs and down green smoothies for breakfast. You think you’re packing in the vitamins and minerals and helping your health by steering clear of certain foods. But is that really true?

A new report by the Health & Food Supplements Information Service, which reviewed diet trends and nutrient intake over the past two decades using the latest Government statistics, has found that diet quality has declined significantly in the past 20 years. Many of us are woefully low in some nutrients – and certain aspects of modern eating could be to blame. Our nutrient gap is a worry because diet-related ill health currently causes 12 per cent of the total number of deaths in the UK.

Shockingly, poor diet has a greater impact on the NHS budget than alcohol, smoking and lack of physical inactivity. Experts are predicting a surge in chronic illness and warn that unless younger people improve their diets now, they face an increased risk of future health issues and potential reduced lifespan. So could you be at risk? Read on to find out.

THE NUTRIENTS WE’RE MISSING

Vitamin A – intake of this essential vitamin has fallen by 21 per cent, with fewer women of childbearing age meeting the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) for vitamin A

Vitamin D – down by 22 per cent

Fibre – we’re eating less than half the recommended daily amount

Omega-3 fatty acids – oily fish consumption remains below optimal levels

Riboflavin – down by 11 per cent

Folate – down by 10 per cent

Calcium – down by 10 per cent

Iron – down by 5 per cent; 27 per cent of women are failing to achieve the LRNI

Potassium – down by 4 per cent