Did you know?

• Potatoes and other related vegetables such as yams and cassava do not count towards 5 A DAY. This is because they are classified as starchy foods
• What counts: a variety of 5 portions of fruit and veg a day – roughly 80grams per portion for adults and smaller children under five should also eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day, but the sizes may be smaller
• Fruit and vegetables have personalities. According to research carried out by Robert Sommer at the University of California, Davis, in 1988, lemons are seen as dislikable, onions are stupid, and mushrooms are social climbers
• Fruit and vegetables don't have to be eaten on their own to count as your 5 A DAY. You can also include any vegetables found in soups, stews, sandwiches and other dishes
• Purple sprouting broccoli was cultivated by the Romans and has been grown in Britain since the early 18th Century
• Rhubarb is in fact a vegetable rather than a fruit
• If you boil your vegetables, you could use the cooking water to make healthier gravy and you won't lose the vitamins from the veg
• A banana plant is really a giant herb
• Check out the 5 A DAY wallchart! To help you encourage your family to eat more fruit and veg in the New Year, visit the 5 A DAY website, type wallchart in the search box and print off to use

More Top Tips for Eating More Fruit and Veg

• Buying fruit and veg in season can help you save on expense during winter, but remember that canned, frozen and dried also count towards your 5 A DAY.
• Busy mums deserve a warming treat. So try making a warm mulled juice using a cocktail of cranberry, orange and fruits of the forest juices. Just warm up the juices in a pan and serve with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg… delicious!
• Baked apples are tasty, and very warming at this time of year. Cut out the centre of the apples and stuff them with raisins, and then sprinkle cinnamon over the top and pop in the oven at 375F or 190C or gas mark 5 and bake for 30-40 minutes.
• Put a bag of dried cranberries in your bag so when you’re out shopping you can keep your energy levels up.
• If you fancy a lighter dessert, try serving a big fruit salad and make it extra special by adding some winter fruits such as cranberries and figs.

What’s in Season?

To help keep winter food costs down and make sure you’re eating fruit and veg at its peak, try sticking to produce that’s in season. Alternatively, tinned, frozen, dried, 100% juice and smoothies all count towards your 5 A DAY.

Winter Fruit Ideas:

Apples, bananas, cranberries, mandarins, pears, satsumas

Winter Vegetables Ideas:

Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, leeks, mushrooms, onions, spring unions, parsnips, swede, turnip

For more information visit www.nhs/uk/5aday