Brits spend £120 more a month on food and cut fruit and veg to save money

Brits are spending £120 a month more on food than they were just a year ago, with many sacrificing fruit and vegetables in a bid to save money.

New research has revealed that 34% are cutting back on fresh produce - with 82% now failing to eat their recommended five a day.

The cost of living research, conducted by Choose British Peas, also found that shoppers are making other supermarket swaps for their preferred food or brand.

As many as 40% are ditching branded products for supermarket own-label alternatives, while 31% pick frozen produce instead of fresh.

But despite nearly a quarter of Brits saying they use frozen foods more often because of inflation, 83% do not understand the nutritional benefits it can offer.

Peter Judge is a spokesperson for Choose British Peas, a campaign run by a collective of the UK frozen pea industry.

"While many people believe frozen fruit and vegetables are less nutritious than fresh, actually, the opposite is often true," he said.

"Frozen vegetables such as peas are picked and frozen within just 2.5 hours of harvest, locking in nutrients and freshness.

"In comparison, fresh produce begins to deteriorate from the moment it is harvested - with nutrient loss continuing during transportation and while it sits on supermarket shelves."

He added that frozen produce can also help to reduce food waste at home, allowing shoppers to use only what they need.

"With food inflation continuing to put pressure on household budgets, we're encouraging shoppers to 'give peas a chance', as an affordable way to reach their five-a-day without stretching their finances," he added.