So why five a day?

Oct 4 2008 by Katherine Neal, The Journal

WHILE every other day we seem to be bombarded with contradictory advice about what we should and shouldn’t eat, one message has remained constant throughout – eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

The Department of Health launched it’s campaign to encourage us to do this over eight years ago, so why is it that recent studies have estimated that only one in seven of us achieve the recommended five pieces a day?

Numerous studies have shown the health benefits that can be gained from increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables. It has been estimated that eating at least five portions can reduce the risk of death from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer by up to 20%.

Fruit and vegetables are a powerhouse of nutrients as well as compounds called phytochemicals which help the body fight disease. Over 100 different phytochemicals have been identified, so to ensure you eat a good balance, it is important to include a variety of both colours and types of fruit and vegetables.

Eating five a day doesn’t mean you have to drastically change your diet. Here are some easy ways to increase your intake without much effort.

Add some fruit to your breakfast cereal – blueberries, strawberries, apple or bananas.

2. If you have a sandwich for lunch choose one with salad in it.

Try to have fruit within easy reach during the day to snack on at home or work.

Try making soups. Homemade vegetable soup makes a great lunch and is an easy way of upping your intake.

Have a stir fry, a quick and easy supper which can provide your daily quota in one go.

Nutritional therapy is a natural approach to restoring and maintaining good health through the use of diet and supplements. It works to address the underlying cause of your health problems rather than just the symptoms. Nutritional therapy is much more than giving advice on “good diet”. We all have individual requirements for nutrients based on our genetic make up, our environment and our lifestyles.

For a tailored Nutritional Programme to help improve your health contact Katherine Neal at Nutritional Know How (0191) 215-9292 www.nutritionalknowhow.com