Research proves that eating at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day is an essential part of a balanced diet and can help us stay healthy. By following the 5-a-day guidelines, you could reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease and other conditions. That’s why it so important that we get enough of them.
This page will tell you about what a portion is, what counts as a portion and why colours are important. It also contains five helpful tips for getting your 5-a-day.
Five reasons to get five portions
- Fruit and vegetables taste delicious and there’s so much variety to choose from.
- They’re a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium.
- They’re an excellent source of dietary fibre, which helps maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
- They can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
- Fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthy and balanced diet.