Vegetable prescriptions were called for as a way of tackling a growing health crisis as panellists at the Vegetable Summit discussed the role of the NHS in promoting healthier diets.
Responding to a question about the UK’s progress in this area, TV doctor Rangan Chatterjee said there was a “growing movement of doctors” that are writing out “lifestyle prescriptions” for vegetables and posting them on social media to engage more doctors to do the same.
“Instead of handing out pill prescriptions, we’re writing out lifestyle prescriptions,” he said. “Certainly anecdotally that’s having a very powerful impact.”
The Alexandra Rose Charity in Brixton has already begun piloting a vegetable prescription scheme in Brixton, prescribing low-income families vouchers that can be redeemed at markets selling fresh fruit and vegetables.
In the US, meanwhile, there are several programmes run by a non-profit organisation called Wholesome Wave, which allow underserved consumers to exchange doctors’ prescriptions for fresh produce at participating farmers’ markets.
As well as affecting physical health, it is believed that diet can have a direct impact on people’s psychological wellbeing, with TV doctor Michael Mosley calling for dietary changes to be considered as a way of tackling mental health issues.
In a Radio Times article the medical expert behind the 5:2 diet said there was a lack of research on the topic, but he cited an Australian study that showed how a Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce symptoms among patients with moderate or severe depression.
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