John Myers
In principle, the “five a day” rule means nothing other than eating five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. This contributes to healthy nutrition because this amount provides our body with sufficient vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In addition, fruit and vegetables contain so-called secondary plant substances, which also have a positive effect on our health. These include, for example, substances such as carotenoids, flavonoids, sulfides, and glucosinolates.
One of those five servings of vegetables or fruit is about a handful. This is, for example, an apple, a glass of fruit juice with 100 percent fruit content, a smoothie, or a handful of grapes. A portion of vegetables would be, for example, two handfuls of lettuce, three tomatoes, or a small tuber of kohlrabi. For an adequate supply of nutrients, you should consume the “five a day” in the form of two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables. In another article, you will find even more tips on portion sizes for fruit and vegetables but also for meat and carbohydrate side dishes.
The “five a day” campaign to promote healthy eating runs internationally and is supported by the EU and the Federal Ministries of Health and Food and Agriculture. In English-speaking countries, the campaign is known as “Five a Day”.
