5 A Day: what counts? (2024)

FAQs

What counts as your 5-a-day? ›

At a glance: what counts? 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit and vegetables counts as 1 portion of your 5 A Day (but not potatoes and some other starchy foods). For tinned or canned fruit and vegetables, choose those in natural juice or water, with no added sugar or salt.

Potatoes. Potatoes don't count towards your 5 A Day. This is the same for yams, cassava and plantain, too. They're classified nutritionally as a starchy food, because when they're eaten as part of a meal they're usually used in place of other sources of starch, such as bread, rice or pasta.

one medium banana, orange, pear or apple or a similar-sized fruit. half a grapefruit, pepper or an avocado. one slice of a large fruit such as a melon or pineapple. two satsumas, two plums or similar sized fruit.

Children and adults really need to eat five servings of fruits and non-starchy vegetables a day for optimal health. That's about two servings of fruits and about three servings of vegetables each day,” Wright said. As a guide, a serving is a half-cup of cooked vegetables or a full cup of raw vegetables or fruit.

One portion is 80g or any of the following: one banana, orange, pear or apple or a similar sized fruit. half a grapefruit or avocado. a slice of large fruit such as melon or pineapple.

Tips for eating more plant foods

Pulses such as lentils, peas and beans all count towards your 5 A DAY. Grains and cereals such as rice, oats, pasta, bread, couscous and unsweetened breakfast cereals. Opt for wholegrain varieties and limit highly processed foods, such as cakes and pastries.

Fruit and vegetables found within other foods and ready-made products, although they may only be in small amounts, still count towards your 5 A Day. For example, the chickpeas in hummus and falafel, the fruit in fruit yoghurts, the lentils in dhal, and the vegetables in guacamole and salsa all contribute.

Baked beans

Any beans or lentils will count towards your 5-a-day, and that includes baked beans. Make sure you choose low-sugar and low-salt versions or you could try making your own.

Ketchup. It might be made from tomatoes, but ketchup doesn't count towards our 5-a-day because of its sugar and salt content.

And it gets better- tea and coffee count too! The catch is that each plant food you consume only counts towards your goal once, over the whole week- this is what helps to encourage variety.

Does an onion count as one of 5-a-day? ›

"Onions form the base of many dishes, so you may forget that they can actually count towards your 5-a-day," points out dietitian Ro. So onions do count as a vegetable, and not just a flavour enhancer. Plus, they're low in calories and a source of fibre.

Pickled or salty vegetables (for example gherkins or olives), processed fruits or vegetables like jam or yoghurt, and other starchy vegetables like plantain also do not count. Happily; fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned fruits and vegetables of all other types count.

It's important that you eat enough of them. Evidence shows there are significant health benefits to getting at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. That's 5 portions of fruit and veg in total, not 5 portions of each. A portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g.

How many bananas a day should you eat? While there's no strict rule, it's best not to eat more than one or two bananas a day. Eating more could lead to weight gain, as they contain both carbohydrates and sugar. Ensure you're eating a balanced diet by including a range of fresh fruits and vegetables.

A lotta bottle

It was reckoned by a local cider maker in the area, that on average 30 pressed apples make a pint of real cider. So by having one apple a day is 1 of your five, so 30 apples in fermented juice should definately do it!

"Onions form the base of many dishes, so you may forget that they can actually count towards your 5-a-day," points out dietitian Ro. So onions do count as a vegetable, and not just a flavour enhancer. Plus, they're low in calories and a source of fibre.

Soup can be a wonderful way to reach your 5-a-day, especially if you make it yourself. Pack in the vegetables, lentils and beans to easily get two portions per serving. This hearty, low-calorie meatball & tomato soup counts as an impressive three of your 5-a-day and makes a substantial meal.

Advice to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day has been peddled since the 1990s. Yet 95 per cent of Britons don't realise that pizza counts as one of our recommended five portions.

There is simply no better way to get your 5 serves than eating a salad or soup for lunch everyday. Get sassy with sauces! Puree vegetables like carrots, carrot tops, sweet potatoes or cauliflower and mix them into sauces such as pesto, pasta sauces – think cauli alfredo or veggie rich tomato based sauces.