Everyone knows that it’s so important to eat fruit and vegetables. However, a recent survey by Fruit Bowl reveals that only 9% of children get their 5-a-day every day. Additionally, only one in four children get two portions of fruit or vegetables per day. This is pretty shocking! Eating enough fruit and vegetables is crucial as it gives children (and adults) vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy life and growth. Ensuring that your children have their 5-a-day can prevent them from having medical problems in the future – such as heart disease and stroke. It is especially important for those who exercise regularly to consume enough fruit and vegetables, it can improve muscle strength, prevent energy dips and help fight fatigue! For example, Vitamin E can improve stamina and can be found in green leafy vegetables (such as broccoli or kale).
Helpful Hints
Below are some helpful hints to help you include more fruits or vegetables in your diet:
Reach for carrot sticks or a banana instead of crisps or chocolate
Add fruit to your cereal
Carry dried fruit around with yourself
Have a side salad or a side plate of vegetables with your lunch or dinner
Add frozen peas to rice
Make your own smoothies for breakfast
Drink 100% fruit juice (never from concentrate)
It’s not easy to make a drastic change to your diet, we hope the above tips might help you make one or two positive changes to your diet.