The Netherlands ranks poorly in vegetable consumption. According to the '5-a-day' study by research agency Kantar, only 18% of Dutch adults meet the recommended daily intake of 250 grams of vegetables and 200 grams of fruit (two pieces).
This places the Netherlands third among countries with low fruit and vegetable consumption, behind Denmark (first) and Sweden (second).
Read also: '10 ways to eat more vegetables'
A complementary survey by Verse Oogst, conducted by Direct Search with 500 Dutch participants, shows that just 22% prioritize vegetables when planning dinner.
Starting your evening meal with carbs or meat (or plant-based alternatives) often relegates vegetables to a side role, resulting in too little intake. The fix is straightforward: build your meal around vegetables first. This guarantees ample portions and sparks culinary creativity—you're off to a healthy start! Choose your veggies, pick a preparation like curry, stew, oven dish, or salad, then add sauces, carbs, proteins, and toppings.
