What Is Five-a-Day?

If you are a healthy eating enthusiast you have probably come across the recommendation to eat five vegetable and fruit portions a day.  However, for many of us what constitutes a portion is rather confusing.

First off, fruits and vegetables MUST be part of the diet of anyone wishing to live a long healthy life. Statistics show that people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet involving exercise are likely to have a reduced risk of catching diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins and other nutrients that our bodies need to prevent illnesses. Many of the lifestyle diseases we worry a lot about today including cardiovascular diseases, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer can be prevented by adopting healthy diets that incorporate five portions of vegetables and fruits.

 To top it all, eating more fruit and vegetables can also make weight management easier.

 So, what makes up five-a-day?

Not many of us eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.  One reason for this is we don’t know what makes up a portion. 

Here is what makes up a portion:

-1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables

-One medium piece of fruit eg apple or orange

-1 cup vegetable juice,

- 1 cup of raw leafy greens

-½ cup cooked dry peas, beans, lentils

--½ cup of 100% juice

¼ cup dried fruits or vegetables

Remember that that five-a-day is the recommended minimum; eat as much fruit and vegetables as possible!

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