According to the World Health Organization, we should be eating "a minimum of 400g of fruit and vegetables per day." Although this, unfortunately, excludes starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes, it is still a great health goal. Since most of us do not weigh our food for every meal, this recommendation can be hard to follow.
All Those Fruits and Veggies Seem Hard to Swallow
As a result, it has been marketed in many ways. Many countries have started "5 a Day" programs, which promote getting 5 fruits and vegetables a day, and then there’s Australia's "Go for 2&5," which calls for 2 fruits and 5 vegetables a day. Meanwhile, other guidelines encourage people to eat 9 vegetables and fruits a day to achieve the "gold standard" of health.
No matter which plan you want to follow, the truth is that you really can't eat too many fruits and vegetables. However, many people find it difficult to choose which ones to try (much less reach the desired amount of servings) and they also find it difficult to measure a serving accurately.
Read on for some easy tips on choosing, measuring, and eating more vegetables and fruits a day.
First, here are a few tips to start:
Getting your nutrition the right way is easier than it seems. Don’t let all the numbers and recommendations scare you away for starting on your path to 5 a day!