Experts suggest nuts and seeds should now be included as part of five a day

Nuts and seeds should now be included as part of the five-a-day fruit and veg advice given by health experts, a leading nutritionist said. Experts also said dried fruit needed improved guidance, as their nutritional benefits are different from whole fruits.

A report by Dr Max Gowland, aimed at bridging the nutrition gap among Brits, highlights the key reasons why this change is needed. As part of the overview, Gowland noted the UK is grappling with a growing health crisis, marked by a rise in chronic disease, primarily driven by the nation's poor dietary habits.

Despite the presence of nuts and dried fruits within the government's standard 'Eatwell Guide' the health benefits of eating these as well as seeds regularly, is perhaps under appreciated. With an estimated 80% of consumers likely to fall short of the daily recommended levels for at least four essential micronutrients.

Gowland's suggestion is to add nuts, seeds and dried fruit to the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, along with a significant government-led awareness campaign.

Baz Goode for Whitworths, which commissioned the study and has been working with Dr Max Gowland, said: "This system has remained in place for more than 20 years now, and while awareness is high, many consumers are either left confused or still struggle to eat their five portions of fruit and veg per day.

"It's time to update the guidance and recognise the importance of a much wider variety of nutrient-rich foodstuffs like nuts and seeds that can deliver profound health benefits from a small portion.

"As diet-related chronic disease continues to grow, now is the time to make a change, give consumers more ways of reaching their five a day goal and positively impact the health of the nation but also reduce the financial burden on the NHS having to treat preventable, diet-related chronic disease."

After publishing the report, the health brand also carried out further research of 2,000 adults, which found almost a fifth rarely or never achieve their five portions a day. While the same percentage didn't even know exactly which foods count towards this quota.

A third of those who don't buy into five-a-day also believed the recommended amounts of these foods are 'exaggerated' and more than a quarter didn't think it would have a significant impact on health.

Dr Max Gowland said: "Simply adding a daily handful of nutrient-dense nuts, seeds and dried fruits could make a real difference to the nation's health.

"These foods are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and healthy fats that help close the nutrition gap many of us face.

"A small handful can deliver the equivalent nutrition of one of your five a day, while also supporting heart health, brain function and immunity."

Overall, Vitamin D (29%), Omega-3 and healthy fats (23%), as well as Iron (22%) are all key nutrients people don't think they get enough of in a typical day.

With those who aren't getting enough of these, putting a shortfall in the amount of fruit and veg they eat as the top reason. One in five admitted to currently having a diet related health problem, with half of these respondents also worried this may get worse.

Of these, 36% put this fear down to their struggle to maintain a healthy diet, with others finding the urge to resist unhealthy food (34%) their main cause for concern.

Almost a fifth (18%) worry they have limited knowledge on how to manage their condition through diet according to the OnePoll.com data.

As part of the initiative, Whitworths has also teamed up with nutritionist Rob Hobson, who said: "It's a really important topic, because plugging the nutrient gap isn't about following the latest diet fad it's about getting back to basics.

"The data shows just how many of us are missing out on simple foods that can make a big difference to long-term health.

"Nuts, seeds and dried fruits are such an easy win as they're rich in fibre, healthy fats and key nutrients like magnesium, zinc and iron that many of us fall short on.

"We often think of diet-related illness as being about excess, but this shows that what's missing is just as important."