Research has shown that there are significant health benefits in eating five portions of a variety fruit and vegetables (in total, not of each) per day. We are recommended to eat a minimum of 400g of these healthy goodies as it is said to lower the risk of health conditions such as stroke, heart disease and some cancers.
We’ve put together a short list to help you understand the importance of why the 5 a day campaign should be part of your diet…
- Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals including folate which can be found in dark leafy greens such as broccoli, vitamin C which can be found in oranges and potassium which can be found in spinach.
- The duo tends to be an excellent source of dietary fibre which helps maintain a healthy gut and therefore a good daily consumption helps prevent constipation or other digestive problems. A diet high in dietary fibre is also said to reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer.
- Fruits and vegetables contribute to a healthy balanced diet. A diet which is not balanced and relies too heavily on other food groups such as dairy, fats or carbs can result in health conditions later in life, fatigue and headaches.
- There is a huge variety to choose from. Even though it might not look as appealing as a slice of cake, you may surprise yourself with what you actually like.
Making sure you eat your five portions a day is particularly important if you’re trying to shed the pounds too so next time you’re avoiding the veggies, remember the information above and grab an extra spoonful…you might just surprise yourself!