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For Release Monday,
10th September,
2001
PALM BEACH COUNTY, A familiar statement at many dinner tables is eat your vegetables! Now the Palm Beach County Health Department and Florida Department of Health are also getting into the act as they’ve declared September 9-15 5 A Day Week and are encouraging all to eat five fruits and/or vegetables a day.
Cindy Bartosek, Nutrition Director for the Health Department said, Many people still believe that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables is difficult. They don’t have the time to prepare them, it’s too expensive or they just don’t like the taste.
Bartosek added, It really can be as simple as adding a glass of juice, a salad, or a fruit smoothie to their usual diet. Elaborate or expensive recipes aren’t necessary.
The 5 A Day message remains a powerful one. Hundreds of studies, from decades of research, continue to show the benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Scientists find agreement on at least two very basic issues:
1. Dietary factors are associated with four of the leading causes of death in the United States coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus and some types of cancer.
2. Five or more servings of fruits or vegetables a day may help reduce the risk of developing these conditions.
Although the numbers are up and the awareness continues to grow on the importance of eating fruits and vegetables nearly 70% of Americans are still not aware
of the good health benefits from eating five or more daily servings.
Bartosek concluded, sometimes we focus so much on the things we should cut back that we lose sight of the foods we can eat to our heart’s content. For nutrition information, including quick and tasty ideas for getting your 5 a Day, call the nutrition office of the Health Department at 561-653-2057
What is a Serving?
A 5 A Day serving size is smaller than you think
- 1 medium-size fruit or vegetable
- ¾ cup (6 oz.) of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice
- ½ cup raw or cooked vegetables or fruit
- 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables
- ½ cup cooked peas or beans
- 1/4 cup dried fruit
Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day for
better health.
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