British public refuse to eat the recommended five portions a day of fruit and veg as diabetes and heart disease numbers soar

FOUR in five adults fail to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day, a study shows.

That’s despite two-thirds worrying about their diet — and soaring numbers with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

The 2,000 polled by the National Charity Partnership blamed cost and time for failing to hit five.

Health experts reveal almost 4.5million people in the UK now suffer from lifestyle-induced diabetes.

Around seven million live with heart and circulatory disease.

One in three adults confess to worrying that their diet will affect their health. But more than half say they do not care about the amount of fruit and veg they eat.

According to experts, nearly half of us manage just one or two portions each day. One in four of us claim we just forget to eat more.

Forgetting to eat healthy food isn't the only problem, many think that it takes time and money to be healthy.

One in five say fruit and veg is too expensive, while 13 per cent feel don't have time to prepare healthy meals every day.

Babs Evans, Head of Prevention for the National Charity Partnership, said: "We're concerned that if our eating habits don't change to include more healthy options like fruit and vegetables, the UK is heading towards a major health crisis.

"Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease are largely preventable and a healthy diet is one way that people can reduce their risk."