A Million Adults 'Never Eat Vegs' (UK)

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 1-15-2004 | Celia Hall

[blam]

A million adults 'never eat veg'

By Celia Hall, Medical Editor
(Filed: 15/01/2004)

Nearly a million adults never eat any fruit or green vegetables and more than 3.5 million eat them only once or twice a month, according to a survey published today.

Despite government campaigns to encourage people to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, a small percentage of the adult population resolutely refuses to do so. The poll among 1,000 adults for the charity, Cholesterol UK, found that while 90 per cent said they always or generally ate a healthy diet, 2.5 million ate chips or crisps daily, six million had take-aways once or twice a week and 500,000 had take-aways every day. The figures are based on an adult population of 40 million.

Heart UK and the Cardiac Patients Association have joined forces to create Cholesterol UK and campaign for a reduction in national blood cholesterol levels. The charity said the public was largely unaware of the dangers of raised cholesterol levels.

Dr John Reckless, a consultant endocrinologist and chairman of Heart UK, said the average cholesterol level in the UK was between five and six mmol/l but one in 40 adults had levels over eight.

In China where there are low rates of heart disease people's cholesterol levels are 3.5 on average. Dr Reckless said a level of less than five was desirable.

[Billthedrill]

I actually looked it up - now see what you've done! 'Twould appear that the sulfur compounds involved are in the mercaptan family, the stinkiest stuff on earth. Some people metabolize it to produce a specific chemical called methanethiol. But it's more complicated than that - evidently there's also a genetic component to the ability to smell it as well as to produce it.

I find that fresh, stir-fried, or flash-steamed asparagus seem to produce it more than the overcooked mush you get out of a can.

Then there's that weird albino asparagus that started turning up from Mexico last year. I can't help but feel there's some sort of alien plot going on with that stuff. Same side-effect, though.

[Petronski]

No point whatsoever. Just an observation...it's a strange question.

[geege]

I never cared for brussel sprouts or beets but I found if
you roast the brussel sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper, they're delish.....and I mix canned beats with fresh oranges, red onion and rasberry vinegar....yum....I think if you try different veggies it takes the boredom out
of eating them.....your kids are off to the right path when they eat veggies:0)

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly attacks all his dietary vegetables with an Assault Edged Weapon...and has rarely suffered injury himself, from them.

He doesn't know if his safety is from intimidation...but since he has decided to "Get Tough" with everything, including food...he has never had a cold, flu or other unpleasantness.

He always sneaks up on his meat, too...and it never knows what hit. Why should I spoil their day? He loves them. They are his pets...and if he didn't have to do it...to continue functioning on this high level...a glorious thing...which elevates them too...he wouldn't.

So he does.

...and pays close attenton to what he says, and allows.

[stlnative]

try some artichokes or Palm Heart (Hearts of Palm) (yum!)

[stlnative]

Try yellow squash and/or zukes raw. Skin them if the skin is too tough for you. Both are great dipped in Ranch Dressing.

[brewcrew]

I know. I was just toying with you. 8^D

Asking strange questions is part of what I do.

[CommandoFrank]

I always smell asparagus in my urine after I eat it.

That's true in this house...

And then there is 'corn poopie'...

[TheDon]

Just some people that weren't accounted for.

[muawiyah]

Seconds!