Eating Fruits and Vegetables Is Easy

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Eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables is easy, especially if you have a plan. The following guidelines can help you develop your plan for fitting in 5 A Day every day.

  • At every meal and snack eat at least one serving of a fruit or vegetable.

    • Start your morning off with a glass of 100% fruit juice. Just 3/4 cup or 6 fluid ounces counts as one serving.
    • For a morning snack, eat a piece of fresh fruit, such as a banana, apple, orange or pear. A medium piece of fruit counts as one serving.
    • Eat a large salad with your lunch. A large salad with 3 cups of mixed greens counts as three servings.
    • For an afternoon snack, munch on raw vegetables like celery sticks or baby carrots. A handful of celery sticks or baby carrots counts as one serving.
    • For dinner eat a dark green leafy vegetable, such as broccoli or spinach. Just 1/2 cup of any cooked vegetable counts as one serving.
    • For an evening snack, choose dried fruit like raisins or dried plums. Just 1/4 cup of dried fruit counts as one serving.

  • Every day eat at least one Vitamin A en-rich fruit or vegetable, such as cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potato, spinach or broccoli.

  • Every day eat at least one Vitamin C en-rich fruit or vegetable, such as orange juice, grapefruit, fresh pineapple, green pepper or cauliflower.

  • Every day eat at least one high fiber fruit or vegetable, such as apples, grapefruit, or broccoli.

  • Several times each week eat cruciferous (aka cabbage family) vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or cabbage.