New data has revealed that Queenslanders aren't eating enough vegetables due to skyrocketing produce prices.
A national survey of 1020 Australian grocery shoppers produced by the Fruit & Vegetable Consortium revealed that 85 per cent of regional Queenslanders blamed their lack of vegetable consumption on produce becoming more expensive.
In the state's capital, 72 per cent of shoppers said produce price hikes influenced the amount of vegetables they ate.
Overall, the survey revealed that most Queenslanders were falling short of the recommended five serves of vegetables a day.
Health and Wellbeing Queensland principal nutritionist Mathew Dick said Queenslanders are missing out on the essential health benefits that vegetables provide.
"With cost-of-living pressures putting the squeeze on household budgets across every town and city, it's alarming that Queenslanders are scrimping on this vital food group," said Mr Dick.
"Vegetables are nutritional superstars packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals that can also help us manage obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease," he said.
"Eating just one extra serve a day brings health benefits, so we definitely don't want to see people ditching veggies from their diets."
The new data comes in the midst of an obesity crisis with two-thirds of Queensland adults and one in four children are overweight or living with obesity.
These levels of obesity have been estimated to cost the state's health system $756 million per year.
Mr Dick said he recognised that cost of living pressures and recent produce hikes were making it harder for people to eat healthy.
"That's why we're urging Queensland shoppers to give our wallet-friendly tips a go, look for ways to minimise waste in the kitchen and bump up their vegetable intake for better health and wellbeing," Mr Dick said.
The advice comes as Australian Bureau of Statistics data for the March quarter showed the cost of fruits and vegetables was up 6.7 per cent compared to last year.
According to Health and Wellbeing Australia, healthy eating cost-saving tips include planning a shopping list to prevent impulse purchases, shopping specials and discounted items, reusing older veggies from the fridge for stews or soups and bulking up meals with with cheap legumes such as chickpeas and lentils.
Queenslanders have also been encouraged to partake in a survey to help develop the Queensland Obesity Prevention Strategy.
The survey was made in response to the National Obesity Strategy 2022-2032 which was released early this year.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the strategy will help to reduce obesity rates.
"While preventing obesity into the future is the key focus, it is imperative we work across our public health system to ensure the 2.7 million Queenslanders above the healthy weight range continue to be supported to enable them to live their healthiest lives," she said.
