5 A Day           Why 5 A Day?

Why Eat 5 A Day?

Importance of Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet and can help you stay well. It’s important to eat enough of them each day.

Research shows that eating at least 5 portions of different fruits and vegetables daily has significant health benefits. This means 5 portions in total, not 5 of each. A portion is about 80 grams.

The 5 A Day campaign is based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), which suggests eating at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily. This can lower your risk of serious health issues like heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

5 Reasons to Eat 5 A Day

1. Nutrients: Fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals like folate, vitamin C, and potassium.

2. Fiber: They are a great source of dietary fiber, which helps keep your digestive system healthy and can prevent constipation. A high-fiber diet may also lower the risk of bowel cancer.

3. Health Risks: Eating enough fruits and vegetables can reduce your chances of developing heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

4. Balanced Diet: They are an important part of a healthy, balanced diet.

5. Taste and Variety: Fruits and vegetables are delicious, and there are many types to choose from!

Additionally, they are usually low in fat and calories (unless cooked in lots of oil), making them helpful for maintaining a healthy weight and supporting heart health.

To benefit the most, your 5 portions should include a variety of fruits and vegetables, as different ones provide different nutrients.

Almost all fruits and vegetables count toward your 5 A Day, whether they are fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or juiced. However, potatoes, yams, and cassava don’t count because they are mostly starch.

How to Get Your 5 A Day

To learn more about what counts toward your 5 A Day and portion sizes, visit the 5 A Day resources.