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5-A-Day: What does it Mean?!

This is the government initiative to try to get people eating at least a minimum of vegetables and fruit, though it is by no means the optimum intake. Experts believe for good health we should aim for 10 portions a day and some countries like Japan advise 15 portions a day (though they are smaller). But to at least get our minimum, what really counts towards 5-A-Day and how much is a ‘portion’??

• one portion = 80g/30oz or:
• size of a medium apple
• a cereal bowl size of mixed salad
• 150ml glass of 100% vegetable or fruit juice (best to add another 150ml water to dilute)
• Smoothies are however better, as some of the important fibres are retained
• 3 heaped Tbs of beans, pulses, lentils
• 3 apricots (dried)
• 3 heaped Tbs of peas (frozen, fresh or canned)
• fresh or frozen is always better than canned

One item only counts ONCE! (e.g. if you eat 5 portions of apples – it still only counts as ONE portion! It’s the variety and diversity that we are trying to increase, to maximise your chances of getting as many nutritients as possible.

Any more questions? Check out the links page or contact me!

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