News item from the BBC

A department of health survey of 1,000 parents has revealed that three quarters of them were unaware that frozen and canned fruit and veg counted towards the 5-portions-a-day recommendation for healthy eating.

Research suggests that just over half the poulation actually mange this amount, despite the evidence that such a diet can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. 

Worryingly, a majority of those surveyed reported that rising food prices made it more difficult to hit that 5-a-day target. 

One nugget of good news - the various healthy-eating messages are actually getting through to the kids themselves, with many parents admitting that it is the kids that know more than they do.

 So a few quick tips:

• eat at least five different portions of fruit and veg a day
• one portion is approx 80 grams
  
• fruit juices count
• canned, dried, and frozen fruit and veg also count (...though I suspect that strawberry ice cream doesn't)
  
• potatoes do not count

Link to BBC news article 

Link to five-a-day website