The concept of eating five fruits and vegetables a day gained popularity in California in the late 1980s, but didn’t become mainstream until the mid-1990s. However, the ideal wasn’t without its challenges, especially for those who disliked tomatoes or fruit.
A debate surrounding the definition of portion sizes emerged, with even potatoes being excluded from the count. Avocados and bananas were also questioned as to whether they qualified as part of the five-a-day rule. The influence of the food industry was another point of contention.
However, in 2013, journalist Michael Mosley weighed in on the issue, stating that following the five-a-day advice was a good enough reason to adopt the habit. This stance helped alleviate some of the controversy surrounding the ideal.
As time passed, and the original strictures were relaxed, the five-a-day rule was eventually dropped. In 2018, the new guideline emerged, recommending eating at least 30 different plant-based foods per week. The challenge lies in naming these plants and incorporating them into one’s diet.
The key takeaway is that complacency can lead to stagnation. As we adopt this new standard of 30-a-day, it may become a stepping stone to an even healthier habit – foraging for wild plants like nettles.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/aug/19/we-should-all-be-eating-30-different-plants-a-week-i-cant-even-name-that-many