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Health experts recommend eating 5 or more
servings of fruits and vegetables each day to maintain optimal
health and help prevent disease. These foods contain important
vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that enable
the cells in our bodies to function at their best. In general,
those with the most color -- green, red, yellow, orange and deep
blue -- have the most nutrients.
But what exactly is a serving size?
The serving size is equal to about one-half cup. (Visualize the bulb part
of a light bulb). Fresh greens like lettuce or spinach have a
serving size equal to one full cup.
A single piece of fruit,
such as an apple or a 6 ounce glass of vegetable or fruit juice
counts as one serving.
Here are some suggestions to help you reach your goal!
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Keep dried fruits and vegetable juice boxes in your desk
drawer.
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Take baggies of fresh cut vegetables to work and on trips.
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Keep a bowl full of fresh fruits on your kitchen counter.
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Keep cleaned cut vegetables in your refrigerator.
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Short on time? Look for prewashed, precut vegetables such as
baby carrots and broccoli florets at the grocery store.
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Eat salads often, at least
once a day.
To receive Wellness Credits:
Credits will be awarded based on the number of fruit and
vegetable servings consumed per day. You
will receive one point for serving. To help track your
serving totals and points, print
out the January Challenge Tracking
Calendar. For each day in the month of January, record
your fruit and vegetable servings on the calendar. At the end
of the month log onto our website to record the number of
servings during the month of January. You will then receive
wellness credits based on the chart below:
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