Thais don't eat enough fruit and vegetables daily

[webfact]

Thais don't eat enough fruit and vegetables daily
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 17 - Inadequate daily intakes of fruit and vegetables among some 75 per cent of Thai nationals could increase their risk of getting chronic diseases.

Mahidol University Nutrition Institute director Dr Visith Chavasit said at a conference on Thursday that a majority of Thais eat a diet that contains less fruit and vegetables than the minimum level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at 400 grams a day.

Studies found 76.2 per cent of Thai nationals above age 15 consumed greens in lesser amounts than the official serving size of about one-third of the total food portion, while 71.8 per cent consume fruit less than half WHO’s recommendation.

The imbalanced consumption of vegetables and fruit in Thailand has resulted in more Thai people getting chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and cardiac-related diseases, cancer and many others.

A number of studies have found that daily intake of at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables a day could help reduce risk of heart disease by 33 per cent and cancer by 50 per cent when compared with those who consumed less than the recommended amount.

Despite the ongoing campaign to promote more consumption of vegetables and fruit, Thai people tend to eat less greens due to behavioral change. People are more likely opting for fast food, resulting in an imbalanced intake of fruit and vegetables every day. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-01-17

[sms747]

Absolute rubbish, that's all most Thais do eat, plus rice and fish and a bit of meat.

[hansgruber]

I've never seen so much fruit consumed here in Thailand compared to any other country I've visited.

[robblok]

Absolute rubbish, that's all most Thais do eat, plus rice and fish and a bit of meat.

I am sure you can invalidate the study without having seen any of its details. Wish I had such great powers of deduction as you.

Rice.. sure Thais eat it a lot (but that is not a fruit neither is it a vegetable). Other then that some do eat a lot of vegetables and others not, depending on where they are and what they eat. I can't say that I have complete overview of all Thais but the amounts of vegetables in the bought fast food is not that much (not talking mc donalds but the streetfood)

[focus27]

I'm surprised - Thais eat a lot of fruit and veg as cheaper than meat. No link to the actual study so unable to comment further.

[robblok]

I'm surprised - Thais eat a lot of fruit and veg as cheaper than meat. No link to the actual study so unable to comment further.

That is a good comment.. as we don't have the actual study to comment on. My experience is that it really depends on what they eat some streetfood has only a little bit of vegetables and mostly rice or noodles in it. Then again if they go to some kind of isarn food there are veggies on the table and are eaten with it all.

I know i love going to the Vietnamese here with my Thai friends.. loads of veggies. But I am not sure what is more prevalent the cheap almost veggie less street-food or the other foods.

[yourauntbob]

If Thai's dont eat enough, the rest of us should be dead........

[kuiburi]

Maybe the Dr. should also do a study on cancer thats related to all the pesticides that are used in agriculture here .

What I think is more shocking is the Thai people with overweight especially young kids , some can barely walk anymore , what future they have ?

[robblok]

Maybe the Dr. should also do a study on cancer thats related to all the pesticides that are used in agriculture here .

What I think is more shocking is the Thai people with overweight especially young kids , some can barely walk anymore , what future they have ?

Who says the two are not connected.

I juice / eat loads of veggies but i wash them well.. the chemicals here are dangerous that is for sure.

[roger1999]

Absolute rubbish, that's all most Thais do eat, plus rice and fish and a bit of meat.

I disagree. I see them eating mostly rice and a bit of meat.

[h90]

"The imbalanced consumption of vegetables and fruit in Thailand has resulted in more Thai people getting chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart and cardiac-related diseases, cancer and many others."

I would like to see how eating more mostly sweet fruits contribute to less diabetes. As well why should help fruit much for heart and cardiac related issues.

[Skint]

The op is rubbish.

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Edited January 17, 2014 by Skint

[h90]

Maybe the Dr. should also do a study on cancer thats related to all the pesticides that are used in agriculture here .

What I think is more shocking is the Thai people with overweight especially young kids , some can barely walk anymore , what future they have ?

Who says the two are not connected.

I juice / eat loads of veggies but i wash them well.. the chemicals here are dangerous that is for sure.

Some pesticides (example onion) are systemic (spelling??) so in the plant, washing doesn't help.

[CPT]

My experience is that Thais don't eat many vegetables at all. Lots of meat, fish, rice, and noodles. I eat streetfood for lunch daily and have trouble finding enough vegetables beyond the ubiquitous cucumber. Very surprised to see that others have such a different experience.

[jaltsc]

"...a majority of Thais eat a diet that contains less fruit and vegetables than the minimum level recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at 400 grams a day."

It is difficult to confirm these facts without the original data. The statement above did not specify whether the populations studied were urban or rural workers. There are studies focusing on developing nations which tend to confirm that as one obtains more disposable income, more fast food, processed food and food high in sugar and chemicals/preservatives are consumed in larger amounts. It would make sense that Thailand is no different. It is part of the Thai culture to eat many small meals during the day. If one starts consuming more processed foods and soft drinks, both with sugar or artificial sweeteners, then the traditional consumption of fruits and vegetables is lowered. In addition, the body continues to feel that it is starving due to the fact that these foods plus the aforementioned beverages do not provide the adequate nutrition necessary to sustain a healthy body. In the traditional Thai diet consumption of white rice and glutenous rice provided energy necessary for intense physical labor. When one's physical output decreases, the consumption of simple carbohydrates tends to raise the glycemic index, thus contributing to the onset of type 2 diabetes. From a vitamin and mineral standpoint it is probable that rural farm workers are probably eating a healthier diet than than urbanites since all they can afford are the cheaper fresh vegetables and fruits. The effects on health that chemicals used on growing this produce pose is another subject to ponder.

Edited January 17, 2014 by jaltsc

[robblok]

Maybe the Dr. should also do a study on cancer thats related to all the pesticides that are used in agriculture here .

What I think is more shocking is the Thai people with overweight especially young kids , some can barely walk anymore , what future they have ?

Who says the two are not connected.

I juice / eat loads of veggies but i wash them well.. the chemicals here are dangerous that is for sure.

Some pesticides (example onion) are systemic (spelling??) so in the plant, washing doesn't help.

That is bad news indeed.. it wont keep me from my veggies.. but bad news. There is not much checking of vegetables on pesticides here.

[clockman]

If the politicions would stop accepting bribes from Monsanto. To sell there poison. Maybe more people would eat fruits and vegetables? But the Thai Buddhist, mantra. Is greed!

[robblok]

If the politicions would stop accepting bribes from Monsanto. To sell there poison. Maybe more people would eat fruits and vegetables? But the Thai Buddhist, mantra. Is greed!

Laughable what you are trying to do here and totally untrue.

Now I am not going to get into the discussion about Monsanto, but to assume that the majority of Thais are even have heard of them and base not eating vegetables on it is absurd.

[diceq]

There is an organic market in Chatuchak called the farmers market.

[Sayonarax]

Wish you would go back to posting news..

[KhunJack]

Absolute rubbish, that's all most Thais do eat, plus rice and fish and a bit of meat.

fyi: I just told the other half the headline .... a big SURE came out ... rice and meat, they don't like to eat veggies.

BTW: We both Vegetarians, It happened to us recently twice in well frequented (bigger) Restaurants in Prachin ... that they not even had 'pak pak ruam mit'.

Edited January 17, 2014 by KhunJack

[marko kok prong]

this certainley does not apply to my wife,or stepdaughter,however the stepson does not eat many veggies or fruit,maybe that explains his stupidity.

[kuiburi]

To robblok , it won't stop me from eating frute and veggies , but check " furadan" carbofuran on Wiki. Sadly still sold over the counter in Thailand.

the size of a sugargrain kills a bird , a quarter teaspoon can kill a human.

[easybullet3]

Absolute rubbish, that's all most Thais do eat, plus rice and fish and a bit of meat.

not so sure!

I see Thai people eat some green leafs while they have some street food of parasite infested, bacteria-ridden pork.

and you may see some thai people have some fruit from the street.

But you rarely see thai people eating a large portion of vegetables.

I have too many of the "i dont like vegetables" friends in Thailand..

we have them in the UK too,,, but seems more in Thailand.

I think this is a city problem.

in the countryside I see them eating far more veggies.

one thing I can say is that they dont eat bananas or carrots and broccoli as much as westerners do.

I get called a monkey and laughed at if I am walking around eating bananas.

Actually,, I think the MAIN issue with Thai peoples eating habits is their obsession with fried food, cheap junk products, excessive mayonnaise on their salads (which counters the healthy aspect of the salad) and excessive intake of sweetened drinks. but this issue is NOT just Thai people! i can say the same for most countries in the world. and Fast Food is quickly showing its evil face in this country too,,, notice the growing population, (both in height and belly-size)!!!

It is ALWAYS good advice to tel people to eat more fruit and vegetables and to drink more water and get a FULL NIGHTS SLEEP.

this advice goes to EVERYONE on the planet !!!!

[Credo]

Thais seem to eat a fair amount of fruit, but not much vegetables. Because there is some green stuff with the meat and sauce that goes on a large plate of rice, it doesn't mean it is nutritionally sufficient.

Many years ago, when I first came to Thailand, the country was still fairly poor. There was a lot more vegetables in the dishes than there is now. As the country got richer the amount of fats and oils used and the amount of meat has been increased and the vegetables have decreased. Much of what is used is to give it color or a particular flavor.

[Jingthing]

Yeah the typical cheap food s use veg for a little decoration not even close to a portion. Many get fruit from somtum. Thailand has joined the globesity club.

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[harada]

You little beauty some real news after the last couple of months of BS.

[PatOngo]

Kids the world over are'nt interested in fruit and veg,they are more prone to Mickey D's and that FAMOUS sugar laden cola brand!

[blokker]

With Thai friends, we usually have some "geng" (curry) and separate fish or meat dishes.

Salads (yam) in restaurant are usually full of spicy stuff and things like squid, and no green stuff.

Vegatables dishes are rare ..., and usually the vegs are fried in oil.

My 10 cents: vegetables are "juud", that is, tasteless, compared to most Thai dishes.

Som tam is an exception, though ...

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Edited January 17, 2014 by blokker

[Route21mkII]

I agree with jaltsc.

The report doesn't identify the "population" covered by the survey. I wouldn't be surprised at the results if based on Bangkok city workers, but that wouldn't be extrapolatable to rural Thailand.

Up here, in Phetchabun, a daily staple diet is "papaya pok-pok", which is based on shredded unripe papaya, cherry tomatoes, long beans, chillies etc and a dash(?) of "ba-la" (fermented fish). They also eat plenty of guava, ripe papaya, jujubes, sweet tamarind, oranges, longan, melon, marrow, cucumber durian, jackfruit, taro, dragon fruit etc and loads of greens.

Our nearest true "fast-food" outlet, other than local BBQ'd chicken stalls, is in Phetchabun city, 50kms away - which doesn't boast a big M! Totally different from the environment in Bangkok etc.

The main problem here, I believe, is the vast amounts of sugar consumed, whether added to all kinds of foods and soft drinks.

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