Do you get your 5 a day?

Erudite · #1 09-28-2009, 12:04 PM

Why is this so hard? I don't eat meat and I avoid white stuff when I can and I still struggle to get 5 fruits and veggies a day. I've given myself a challenge to get 5 by lunchtime. That's 2 fruits for breakfast/snack and 3 veggies for lunch to make that happen! How do you do on this? If you do well, what's your secret?

Anyone want to work on the challenge with me?

E

runamyrun · #2 09-28-2009, 07:21 PM

I go through phases. Sometimes I do really well, but right now is not one of those times. Instead of eating enough fruits and veggies, I have been eating lots of treats.

I am up for a challenge! I am going to change!

Erudite · #3 09-28-2009, 09:23 PM

Good for you!

Ok, I got 1.5 fruits for breakfast, and 2 veggies with lunch. I had 2 for dinner too, so while I got in the 5 a day, I'd like to get it in earlier. We can do it!!

**5ft Diva** · #4 09-29-2009, 02:52 PM

Thanks, E, for the reminder. I had tried the summer before last to be conscious of a balanced diet. I was doing pretty good so I stopped paying attention and have slipped a little....okay a lot.

Dia Minha · #5 09-29-2009, 08:23 PM

I usually do pretty good. Every once in a while I will miss, but generally I get them all in.

A good tip is to remember you only need a half a cup for a serving except leavy vegetables which is one cup. If you actually measuer it out for a while you realize it isn't that much.

I usually have two fruits with breakfast or for a mid-morning snack by putting 1/2 cup berries and 1/2 banana in my smoothie. Then for lunch I usually have two cups of greens with 1/2 cup or more of other chopped veggies, so that counts as 3 sometimes 4. Then I usually have an apple or a couple of clementines for a snack in the afternoon. Dinner usually consists of at least one serving of vegtables in the main dish and one on the side and sometimes another cup of salad or fresh veggies, like sliced cucumber or carrots.

Then a baked apple or some berries with a little light cool whip for a sweet treat in the evening is a nice way to work in another serving.

Even 1/2 cup tomato sauce on your spaghetti counts. Throw on some sauted onions, squash and mushrooms and work in another 1 or 2.

1/2 cup of beans, like black, pinto, red, etc. also counts as a veggie if you have already had your protein. It seems like I have typed all this up before if anyone needs anymore ideas. You could probably find it on here somewhere.

Meticulous madness · #6 09-29-2009, 10:49 PM

I usually go through good/bad phases, too.

I totally vouch for the smoothie thing. Even a small amount of veggies or beans shouldn't taint the fruity sweetness.

The best trick for getting all the servings in (atleast for me) is to leave the veggies and fruits out on the counter, in some appetizing and decorative way. Even if you just put out one day's worth at a time. That can serve as a good, visual reminder of where you are at any given point during the day.

I have a three-tiered serving dish-thing (which I believe, ironically, is made for sweets) and that's what I use. When I see them all sitting there, they look fresh and delicious, and I remember that I love them and they're easy to prepare and eat.

But when they are out of sight, they're out of mind, or they become an inconvenience to worry about. And that's when I struggle.

**5ft Diva** · #7 09-30-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dia Minha

I usually do pretty good. Every once in a while I will miss, but generally I get them all in.

A good tip is to remember you only need a half a cup for a serving except leavy vegetables which is one cup. If you actually measuer it out for a while you realize it isn't that much.

I usually have two fruits with breakfast or for a mid-morning snack by putting 1/2 cup berries and 1/2 banana in my smoothie. Then for lunch I usually have two cups of greens with 1/2 cup or more of other chopped veggies, so that counts as 3 sometimes 4. Then I usually have an apple or a couple of clementines for a snack in the afternoon. Dinner usually consists of at least one serving of vegtables in the main dish and one on the side and sometimes another cup of salad or fresh veggies, like sliced cucumber or carrots.

Then a baked apple or some berries with a little light cool whip for a sweet treat in the evening is a nice way to work in another serving.

Even 1/2 cup tomato sauce on your spaghetti counts. Throw on some sauted onions, squash and mushrooms and work in another 1 or 2.

1/2 cup of beans, like black, pinto, red, etc. also counts as a veggie if you have already had your protein. It seems like I have typed all this up before if anyone needs anymore ideas. You could probably find it on here somewhere.

Well, I guess I'm doing better than I thought.

Dia Minha · #8 09-30-2009, 10:56 AM

M&M, I love the idea of using the serving tray for fruits and veggies. I bet it is just beautiful as well as very functional.

runamyrun · #9 09-30-2009, 06:56 PM

That is a great idea, M&M. When we get food from the co-op, we love to leave some of the produce out on the counter to remind us to eat it. It kind of takes over our counter, though. That would really work well for our family.

Meticulous madness · #10 09-30-2009, 10:22 PM

Yeah, this particular dish/tray really has worked well.

I've tried many container variations over the years, and this one has lasted the longest because it appeals to me for both visual reasons, and functionality. I really do find that I am much better about eating right, when it's appetizing and accessible. I do think I'll take my own advice about putting out one day's worth, to make sure I'm meeting the mark.

Extra bonus...the kids reach first for these foods, too, because the dish sits right in front of them when they're on the bar stools. While I'm preparing their food they sit there. Or when they're doing homework, and thinking about a snack it's the first thing they see.

And ER: The other thought I had, but didn't mention was that perhaps you could make a little checklist to cross off. It sounds elementary, but I seriously had to do that when I was attempting to get in my appropriate water intake a few years ago. I had a little paper marked with 5 notches. Each time I finished a bottle of water I would mark off a notch. It was the easiest way to keep track, until my habits were in line. Maybe you could put an easy sticky-note or something on your fridge, and put a column for fruits and one for veggies or something?

Erudite · #11 10-07-2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the ideas everyone! I have a fruit bowl on my counter, but I'm still not as good as I should be about eating what's in it. The 3 tiered thing is an awesome idea!! I wish I had one.

Oh, MM, I do checklists for EVERYTHING. I love the feeling of marking stuff DONE! I had a whiteboard on my fridge for this purpose, but started using it for a grocery list instead. A post-it note is a better idea! I'll give it a try!

Thanks Dia for your thoughts! I don't have a blender so I haven't ever done smoothies, but I may need to invest in one!