Most people know that we should be eating more fruit and veg. But most of us aren't eating enough. Did you know that we should be eating at least five portions of fruit and veg every day?
You can choose from fresh, frozen, tinned, dried or juiced. But remember that potatoes don't count because they're a starchy food.

Fruit and vegetables are brimming with fibre, plus a whole range of vitamins and minerals, and because they're low in calories, they make an important and healthy addition to any diet.

Five a day

Scientific studies have shown that people who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables may have a lower risk of getting illnesses, such as heart disease and some cancers. For this reason, health authorities recommend that you eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day - and it doesn't matter whether they're fresh, tinned, frozen, cooked, juiced or dried.

How much is a portion?

• One piece of medium-sized fruit - eg, an apple, peach, banana or orange.
• One slice of large fruit, such as melon, mango or pineapple.
• One handful of grapes or two handfuls of cherries or berry fruits.
• One tablespoon of dried fruit.
• A glass (roughly 100ml) of fruit or vegetable juice.
• A small tin (roughly 200g) of fruit.
• A side salad.
• A serving (roughly 100g) of vegetables - eg, frozen or mushy peas, boiled carrots or stir-fried broccoli.
• The vegetables served in a portion of vegetable curry, lasagne, stir-fry or casserole.
  

How much fruit and veg should I be eating?