Just 22% of people manage to eat the recommended "five a day" portions of fruit and vegetables, research suggests.
Only 17% of people in low income households eat the suggested amount compared to 27% in higher income groups, the poll conducted by World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has found.
Consumption varied slightly around the country with 18% of people in the north of England meeting the quota, compared to 26% in the south, the survey of 2,128 adults found.
The figures show that many are still finding it difficult to eat healthily, a spokeswoman for the charity said.
WCRF head of education Kate Mendoza said: "Getting at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is the building block of a healthy diet.
"A diet based on plant foods, such as whole grains and pulses as well as fruit and vegetables, can reduce cancer risk as research shows they protect against a range of cancers. Recent research has confirmed that foods containing fibre reduce the risk of bowel cancer.
"A lot of WCRF's work focuses on raising awareness of the importance of diet, physical activity and body weight in relation to cancer risk. Although people are more aware of the significance of eating 'five a day' than they used to be, it is clear that there are still barriers to incorporating plant foods into our daily diets."
A spokeswoman for the charity said it commissioned the survey to coincide with Cancer Prevention Week, which starts today.
A Department of Health spokesman said: "We know we need to do more to encourage people to eat their five a day and help prevent diseases like cancer.
"That is why, through our Change4Life campaign, we invested around £10 million last year on encouraging healthier lifestyles.
"This included things like the Supermeals campaign which promoted five a day by giving recipe ideas and money-off fruit and vegetables in retail stores.
"We are also encouraging children to get their five a day through the scheme which gives them a free piece of fruit or vegetable at school every day. Over 2.1 million children benefit from the scheme."
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Alternative Ways To Get Your Five-A-Day
Make A Lettuce Wrap
"For fajitas and other food traditionally served in a wrap, try wrapping in whole lettuce leaves. This increases your vegetable intake as well as being helpful for people trying to reduce their wheat or gluten intake and a great, easy way to get one of your five-a-day."
Daisy Connor, Nutritional Therapist at the <a href="http://www.nna-uk.com/" target="_hplink">Naturopathic Nutrition Association.</a>
Try 'Carrot Cake' Porridge
"Add grated carrot or an apple, ground almonds and cinnamon to plain porridge."
<em>Yvonne Bishop-Weston, Nutritionist for</em> <a href="http://www.foodsforlife.co.uk/" target="_hplink">Foods for Life</a>.
Add A Vegetable Twist To Your Mash
"Use mashed mixed root veg as an alternative to mashed potato, such as carrot or squash and swede, or mashed cauliflower.
"Potatoes don't count as one of your five-a-day, so this way, you can still enjoy mash but with a five-a-day boost."
<strong>Clare Casson</strong>, <a href="http://www.clarecasson.co.uk/" target="_hplink">Nutritionist and Wellbeing Coach</a>.
Choose Tofu
"Swap beefburgers for tofu burgers - these are made with the soy pulp left over after soy milk has been extracted from ground, soaked soybeans, which contain all the fibre from the beans."
<strong>Clare Casson</strong>, <a href="http://www.clarecasson.co.uk/" target="_hplink">Nutritionist and Wellbeing Coach</a>
Add Veggies To Your Cakes
"We all know about carrot cake, but other vegetables work just as well. Beetroot makes a delicious addition to chocolate brownies.
"Halve the amount of sugar recommended in a recipe, to make them super-healthy."
<strong>Clare Casson</strong>, <a href="http://www.clarecasson.co.uk/" target="_hplink">Nutritionist and Wellbeing Coach</a>.
Frozen Fruit Treats
"For a fast treat that packs in plenty of fruit, try instant frozen yoghurt: Blend equal quantities of frozen berries and natural or soy yoghurt.
"Sweeten to taste with honey or xylitol and serve immediately. Raw fruit that feels like a treat!"
<strong>Daisy Connor</strong>, Nutritional Therapist for <a href="http://www.nna-uk.com/" target="_hplink">Naturopathic Nutrition Association.</a>
Learn To Love Lentils
"Blend cooked courgettes and lentils into plain tomato pasta sauce to give extra vegetables plus protein.
"For a creamier sauce, try blending pine nuts and adding to the sauce for creaminess with added vegetable protein and healthy fat."
<strong>Daisy Connor</strong>, Nutritional Therapist for <a href="http://www.nna-uk.com/" target="_hplink">Naturopathic Nutrition Association</a>.
Make Your Own ChickPea Pasta
"Pasta doesn't count towards your five-a-day, but what if you make your own?
"Use chickpea (gram) flour to make home made pasta. Chickpeas are a great five-a-day source."
<strong>Clare Casson</strong>, <a href="http://www.clarecasson.co.uk/" target="_hplink">Nutritionist and Wellbeing Coach</a>.
Blend A Veg-Packed Pasta Sauce
"Blend cooked courgettes and lentils into plain tomato pasta sauce to add extra vegetables plus protein.
"For a creamier sauce, try blending pine nuts and adding to the sauce for creaminess with added vegetable protein and healthy fat."
<strong>Daisy Connor</strong>, Nutritional Therapist at the <a href="http://www.nna-uk.com/" target="_hplink">Naturopathic Nutrition Association</a>.
Create Your Own Veggie Smoothie
"Include a handful or so of cooked, bland-tasting cooked beans like butter beans in a fruit smoothie to add thickness and protein as well as an additional one of your 5-a-day," says <em>Clare Casson, Nutritionist and Wellbeing Coach.</em>
"Try a bespoke veggie smoothie with avocado and celery! Because it includes avocado, which many people aren't keen on but find it surprisingly tasty when mixed with fruit," says <em>Daisy Connor, Nutritional Therapist.
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PA/The Huffington Post UK | Posted: 14/05/2012 10:38 Updated: 14/05/2012 13:29