The results of the National Adult Nutrition Survey and Safefood; A Consumer Review of the Fruit and Vegetable Food Chain show that only a third of us are getting our required fruit/veg allowance.
Apparently the majority of us (75%) know about the recommended 5-a-day but only one third of us are eating it!
It’s well reported that it takes three-weeks to change a habit so Centra has launched a 21-day 5-a-day challenge to encourage people to eat healthier.
They’ve enrolled blogger Pippa O’Connor to help: "I’m conscious that I need to get into the habit of getting my 5-a-day as I’m definitely guilty of getting less than five every day because I’m constantly on-the go.
"For me, with a growing family, I need to get the right balance in my diet and this challenge gives me all the tips and hacks to help me on my way. I’m committed to getting into the habit of increasing my 5-a-day intake and I’m calling on the nation to join me in the challenge!"
With that in mind, our RTÉ LifeStyle Nutritionist Mags Carey, shared her tips on the best way to get fruit and veg into the diet of all the family. The first important step to remember is that 5-a-day is the bare minimum – we need more than that to keep us thriving.
Top 5 Tips to eating your 5-a-Day:
- The obvious smoothies and soups are a great way to use up that fruit and veg and are easily portable when you're on the go - we love our Nutri-Bullets. However try to avoid pure fruit juices as a source, there is way too much sugar in them – it may be natural fructose but it can still spike sugar/energy levels. What goes up, must come crashing down – which ain’t good.
- Try to be prepared: Get into the habit of always having snacks of chopped veg batons with hummus or chopped fruits and nuts/seeds in your bag or glove box. The natural sugars work well with the protein of the nuts.
- Think how you can incorporate fruits/veg into every meal and snack e.g. add berries to your muesli/porridge and bulk up your sambo/wrap with lettuce/cucumber/tomato/avocado.
- When you buy your veg, chop and roast it in the oven then store in the fridge. This way it's ready to go when you're against the clock and you can add quickly to salads etc.
- And finally plan out your week so there's no wastage: What are you going to cook and what do you need to buy, making sure it's as packed full of fruit and veggies as possible.
Most of all...enjoy – crunchy, fresh fruit and veg are delicious when prepared correctly!
