Naturally colourful and tasty, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can help keep you healthy and lower your risk of heart disease.
That’s not all. Fruit and vegetables can help to protect against type 2 diabetes and some cancers. They can also help to manage cholesterol levels and weight.
Most Australians don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables.1
Part of a heart-healthy diet involves eating a wide variety of foods. The more colour, the better. Focus on including as much fresh and unprocessed food as possible.
For good health, you should try to eat at least five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit every day.2
Children, pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers may need more or less. For more information on what's right for you, visit the Australian Dietary Guidelines or talk to an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
Adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet is easy. Here are a few tips to get you started.
While fresh is often considered best, frozen and canned vegetables can be just as healthy. They all count. Always read the nutrition information panel on the food label to avoid added salt and sugar.
Add an extra serve of vegetables or a side salad to each main meal. Swap some of the meat and poultry in recipes with legumes (beans, peas or lentils).
Cut up fruit and vegetables in the morning. Just because it’s healthy doesn’t mean it can’t be fun; cutting up fruit and vegetables into bite-sized pieces can save the hassle later and it makes it easier to transport. Make sure to store them in an air-tight container in the fridge for when you get hungry between meals.
Try adding lettuce, tomato, carrot and tomato for a healthy boost. Spinach leaves, tomato and finely cut up onion and mushrooms work well in a toasted sandwich. Yum!
Fruit and vegetables that are in season are often fresher and cheaper.
Eat the rainbow – add three different-coloured vegetables as part of your dinner.
Add chopped fresh or frozen fruit to your cereal or porridge to not only make it healthier, but also more flavoursome.
Eating out and eating healthy are not mutually exclusive. Ordering vegetable-based pasta sauces, vegetable toppings for pizzas or a stir-fry is an easy way to add vegetables to your meal. You can also order side-salad or vegetables with your meal, the more greens the better.
Rather than reaching for a bag of chips or chocolate bar, try to eat more fresh or frozen berries, which go well with unflavoured yoghurt.
Add fresh or frozen vegetables and legumes to your pasta dishes, soups or casseroles. Try adding grated vegetables, such as carrot or zucchini to sauces.
Find fun ways to cook and serve vegetables and fruits to help you eat enough.
It may take some practise, but eating a range of these healthy foods can become second nature.
Eating different types of fruit and vegetables each day helps you get enough fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Different colours offer different healthy nutrients and help your body to function at its best.
Each week, try to include fruit and vegetables from all of different colour groups.
Follow these easy tips to boost your heart health and embrace a heart-healthy eating pattern.
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Last updated26 August 2024