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Original poster

Peas aren't classed as a 5 a day

205 replies

bellalou1234 · 11/01/2023 19:46

Im shocked. I've been trying to eat 5 fruit and veg per day to improve my general health only to realise peas don't count!

OP posts:
Original poster
bellalou1234 · 11/01/2023 20:10

hoppityscotch · 11/01/2023 20:06

Are these the same as the aldi ones?

Tell me about the aldi one?

OP posts:
SalviaOfficinalis · 11/01/2023 20:13

Even if they don’t count, they’re still healthy OP! Legumes are very good for you.

Lightningfast · 11/01/2023 20:13

But that’s true for any of the five a day - you can only count any of them once.

MarmiteWine · 11/01/2023 20:13

bellalou1234 · 11/01/2023 19:58

Ha true I need to look at my information sources.. but why aren't m&s putting it on their packs

Possibly because of the added fat. According to the information on the Ocado site, M&S Mighty Peas are only 91% peas, with the rest made up of rapeseed oil and herbs and spices. That's going to be around 8% of fat, so I don't think it could be promoted as a healthy food. Of course I could be completely wrong, but frozen M&S garden peas do have the "1 of your 5 a day" message.

dementedpixie · 11/01/2023 20:14

Lightningfast · 11/01/2023 20:13

But that’s true for any of the five a day - you can only count any of them once.

This isn't true. Ideally they'd all be different but they don't have to be

CalloohCallayFrabjousDay · 11/01/2023 20:15

Well seeing as spaghetti hoops count as one of your five a day, I think peas should count too!

yoyo1234 · 11/01/2023 20:16

They are very nutricious. Would trust NHS website and they count them.

Lightningfast · 11/01/2023 20:16

No, that’s just not right. You can’t have any of the same fruit / veg counting as your 5 a day. They definitely do all need to be different ones.

Original poster
bellalou1234 · 11/01/2023 20:17

CalloohCallayFrabjousDay · 11/01/2023 20:15

Well seeing as spaghetti hoops count as one of your five a day, I think peas should count too!

Exactly my peas are in my 5 a day!

OP posts:
BrandyandGinger · 11/01/2023 20:17

I can't believe 3 tablespoons of peas count as a portion. I love frozen peas. I must have three portions so when I have them with egg and chips.

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 11/01/2023 20:17

In the original WHO definition parsnips and sweet potato also were starchy veg and therefor not included.

RJnomore1 · 11/01/2023 20:19

HoppingAndHoping · 11/01/2023 20:05

Sweet potatoes however count as a 5 a day...

Sweet potatoes, parsnips, swedes and turnips do count towards your 5 A Day because they're usually eaten in addition to the starchy food part of the meal.
Potatoes play an important role in your diet, even if they don't count towards your 5 A Day. It's best to eat them without any added salt or fat.

Whereas "regular" potates do not count because they usually are eaten as the starchy part of a meal..

I personally have always been a bit dubious in regards to that exlanation tbh. If I were to have regular potatoes as an addition to pasta.. Will the regular potatoes suddenly become a vegetable? Hmm
And I generally don't eat sweet potatoes in addition to other starches but as a starchy food... But that may be less common, Idk.

www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day/5-a-day-what-counts/#:~:text=Sweet%20potatoes%2C%20parsnips%2C%20swedes%20and,any%20added%20salt%20or%20fat.

Show quote history

I think I love you, now I have excuse to eat potatoes with my pasta 😁

dementedpixie · 11/01/2023 20:20

Lightningfast · 11/01/2023 20:16

No, that’s just not right. You can’t have any of the same fruit / veg counting as your 5 a day. They definitely do all need to be different ones.

It is right that you can have multiple portions of one fruit or veg. That's why they say beans and pulses, dried fruit and fruit juices can only be counted once. If I ate 2 bananas that would be 2 portions

FancyFanny · 11/01/2023 20:20

Of course they do! I count potatoes too- they are full of vitamin c and fibre if you eat the skins.

The only reason the gov. don't count them is discourage people from eating too many chips which are fattening!

BrandyandGinger · 11/01/2023 20:21

The whole WHO could come and give me a presentation on healthy eating and I still wouldn't believe that sweet potatoes are healthier than regular potatoes. I might concede that making chips out of regular potatoes isn't amazingly healthy but that's as far as I'd go.

IcakethereforeIam · 11/01/2023 20:22

Depends, I got some from my sister and got her peas.

And my coat!

Glitterykittery · 11/01/2023 20:22

Give peas a chance 😂

tigger1001 · 11/01/2023 20:22

It said on the link though they will not count for more than one of your 5 per day. I would take that to mean they are 1 of the 5 but it won't matter how many you eat it's only 1

JinglingSpringbells · 11/01/2023 20:23

dementedpixie · 11/01/2023 20:20

It is right that you can have multiple portions of one fruit or veg. That's why they say beans and pulses, dried fruit and fruit juices can only be counted once. If I ate 2 bananas that would be 2 portions

Show quote history

Sorry @dementedpixie

You are wrong.

5 portions is 5 different fruit and veg

carrots
peas
cabbage
apples
pears

Even if you ate 5 apples it would count only as 1 of your 5 a day.

it's variety you need to aim for.

TangledWebOfDeception · 11/01/2023 20:24

Basically eat as wide a variety as you can, as often as you can. As many different colours as possible, to get the best range of nutrients. Get the majority of your intake from veg rather than fruit (berries excepted) although in moderation anything is fine, of course. That’s all you really need to do.

It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Lightningfast · 11/01/2023 20:25

@dementedpixie Where are you getting that info from? I can’t believe two bananas or indeed two of anything would count as two separate portions. If you had five bananas would you count that as your five a day all done and dusted?

Natsku · 11/01/2023 20:25

an attempt to get people who might just eat peas/corn every single day to have more variety of veg in their diet.

I feel judged Sad Grin
Tbf, I have carrots too.

MoveOnTheCards · 11/01/2023 20:25

@FancyFanny is right on potatoes. The government decided to put them in starch/carbs as a classification rather than veg to avoid people thinking they could eat chips every day.

The reality is potatoes are really rich in all sorts of nutrients (especially if you eat the skins) so enjoy them baked for best option, steamed or boiled or even roasted (skin on) with a spritz of spray oil. My fave!

TheNoonBell · 11/01/2023 20:26

Are you really suggesting 5 peas don't qualify as 5 a day?

JinglingSpringbells · 11/01/2023 20:27

Your post is confusing @dementedpixie

Are you agreeing that 2 bananas is ONE of your 5 a day?
I'm confused by your use of the word 'portions'.

(Well, I'm not confused but wonder if you are?)

You can have as many portions of one type of fruit or veg as you like but you can only count it once.

So you can eat 3 bananas, but to get to your 5 a day you need to have 4 other fruits or vegs.