5 A Day

TheGymGypsy
TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I often hear references on television, particularly shows about diet/ weight loss, to the "5 a day" rule for fruits and vegetables. So just out of curiosity, how many of you guys actually meet that quota? I would imagine I probably get through at least double that amount.
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Replies

  • Wiltord1982
    Wiltord1982 Posts: 312 Member
    Hmmm I'd say my average is 5 a day. Probably not much more.

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  • winley87
    winley87 Posts: 32
    I would say most days I probably fall short. It's something I've been meaning to work on though. I would say on average I get 2-3 servings of veggies a day and 1-2 servings of fruit, so not too far off, but I know there are days when I get more like 1.5 servings of veggies and only 1 fruit. :/
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.





    ETA: spelling. Meet, not meat. :ohwell:
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.





    ETA: spelling. Meet, not meat. :ohwell:

    I would imagine it might be difficult to meet all the micro nutrient requirements without fruits and veggies.
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.





    ETA: spelling. Meet, not meat. :ohwell:

    I would imagine it might be difficult to meet all the micro nutrient requirements without fruits and veggies.
    I didn't say I don't eat fruit or veggies, I just don't COUNT serving numbers. :smile:
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.





    ETA: spelling. Meet, not meat. :ohwell:

    I would imagine it might be difficult to meet all the micro nutrient requirements without fruits and veggies.
    I didn't say I don't eat fruit or veggies, I just don't COUNT serving numbers. :smile:

    OHHH that makes much more sense! Wow blonde moment on my part.
  • xmichaelyx
    xmichaelyx Posts: 883 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.

    This. I don't even know how to calculate a "serving."
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    I make sure to get at least 5 a day now. In the past I wouldn't bother. Personal problem area for me. I have found that a 'serving' of f/v is less than I thought. I have also become more adventurous about trying different things, and cooking veggies in different ways. That's been a big help.
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    I had to cut down on fruit my sugar micro was/sometimes still is out of control. I try to get in 5 servings of veggies and 2 servings of fruit.
  • jwhackers84
    jwhackers84 Posts: 43 Member
    i've been known to eat 3-4 servings of vegetables in one meal, so i'd say on most days I hit those goals. Though I don't actually try. I just like fruits and veggies
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.

    This. I don't even know how to calculate a "serving."

    It doesn't even necessarily need to be a measure out "serving". I like to think of it in terms of frequency and variety.
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    i've been known to eat 3-4 servings of vegetables in one meal, so i'd say on most days I hit those goals. Though I don't actually try. I just like fruits and veggies

    Me too. Since I'm vegan I don't have many other options.:P
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i think i have like, two servings of vegtables at dinner, and 2-3 pieces of fruit during the day. so just barely hitting the minimum.
  • motivatedmartha
    motivatedmartha Posts: 1,108 Member
    In a way I have the opposite problem - I adore all fruit and would have no problem eating my way through a large fruit bowl every day. I can happily eat a lb of tomatoes, 6 bananas, punnet of straws and a mango in one day. I eat satsumas 2 at a time and have an apple every morning after my walk. I also love veggies and most meals consist of at least 2 servings. I have learned to control the amount of fruit so that I can keep my calories within goal - biscuits/crisps and sweets are not a problem for me and I rarely bake or buy cake - fruit is my downfall!
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
    Let's see, I have berries with breakfast most days, about a cup depending on the berry, strawberries are a little more, I have veggies for lunch and dinner 2 cups raw each meal or 1 cup cooked, and also 1 fruit with my lunch, like an apple or cantaloupe. I try to have at least one of those meals raw and cantaloupe, celery or carrots make great snacks too. So basically, when I eat meals at least half my food is veggies or fruit.
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
    In a way I have the opposite problem - I adore all fruit and would have no problem eating my way through a large fruit bowl every day. I can happily eat a lb of tomatoes, 6 bananas, punnet of straws and a mango in one day. I eat satsumas 2 at a time and have an apple every morning after my walk. I also love veggies and most meals consist of at least 2 servings. I have learned to control the amount of fruit so that I can keep my calories within goal - biscuits/crisps and sweets are not a problem for me and I rarely bake or buy cake - fruit is my downfall!
    Berries are the answer to that problem!
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.

    This. I don't even know how to calculate a "serving."
    Generally, it is 1/2 cup, more if you are eating greens like lettuce or spinach, then you can double it.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    Nope, not even close.
  • bakechad
    bakechad Posts: 10 Member
    I'm not a vegetarian, but am very plant based.

    Just quickly calculated and most days I am probably 10-15.
  • climbing_trees
    climbing_trees Posts: 726 Member
    Vegan here, I imagine I get about 5 servings per meal!

    I just moved in with a new housemate and she is astounded at how empty my half of the cupboards are, but how full I pack the fridge with produce. I never noticed when I lived alone, but now that I have to share a fridge with another person, I get to play tetris after every grocery shopping trip. haha
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I eat three of each every day. Fruit whole or sliced or in smoothies. Vegetables raw or gently heated, or mashed in soups and stews.

    My fruit favorites are: Apples (green Granny Smith, on the top of the list, and big red ones at Christmas), pears, plums, bananas, honey dew melon, litchi, pomelo, mango, pomegranate, apricots, grapes, passion fruit, cherries, pineapple, peach, and strawberries, blueberries, blackberries.

    Raw vegetables: Cucumber, pepper (red or green), cauliflower, broccoli, carrots. Peas and green beans with dinner. Everything imaginable for soup.

    I don't count potato, sweet potato or dried legumes as vegetables, they are starches.
  • heatheremde
    heatheremde Posts: 43 Member
    I am making a goal to eat at least one raw meal a day and see how my energy levels are. How do you eat so much fruit and not worry about sugar intake?
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I am making a goal to eat at least one raw meal a day and see how my energy levels are. How do you eat so much fruit and not worry about sugar intake?
    I just don't worry about sugar intake :smile: Sugar is just a carb, and as long as you get enough fat and protein and micronutrients, and don't exceed your calories limit, you'll be fine.
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    I am making a goal to eat at least one raw meal a day and see how my energy levels are. How do you eat so much fruit and not worry about sugar intake?

    Sugar won't hurt you unless you are diabetic.
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    I meet my macros and my micros, I don't count actual fruit/veggie serving numbers.

    This. I don't even know how to calculate a "serving."

    1 serving = how much I put on my plate
  • lrearick1452
    lrearick1452 Posts: 10
    Most days I get at least 4. Banana for potassium, apple for mid morning snack, salad w/lunch or dinner, plus another cup or more of vegetables with dinner. the kicker is knowing which "vegetables" are truly vegetables and not carbs. All but one squash, all root vegetables, and any "veggie" that you can make a flour out of (corn, lentils, beans, etc) are not veggies.

    It makes me angry when hospitals and restaurants say they are providing a vegetable and you end up with "mixed vegetables" that consist of Lima beans, carrots, potatoes, corn, peas, and finally a few real veggies, green beans. Or the "upscale" blend of summer squash, yellow squash, carrots, and if you're lucky, cauliflower. What's worse, the nutritional specialists at these facilities say they are performing as trained!
  • naomigee161
    naomigee161 Posts: 41 Member
    The UK guidelines are 7 a day (so 5 veg, 2 fruit, or 7 veg)

    a serving (uncooked) is 85g

    I probably get between 5-7 a day depending. we usually have 3-4 of veg on the side with dinner, plus 1-2 in the main dinner meal, 1-2 in homemade soup at lunchtime, plus any fruit I have during the day (raisins, apple, banana, satsumas)
  • TheGymGypsy
    TheGymGypsy Posts: 1,023 Member
    Most days I get at least 4. Banana for potassium, apple for mid morning snack, salad w/lunch or dinner, plus another cup or more of vegetables with dinner. the kicker is knowing which "vegetables" are truly vegetables and not carbs. All but one squash, all root vegetables, and any "veggie" that you can make a flour out of (corn, lentils, beans, etc) are not veggies.

    It makes me angry when hospitals and restaurants say they are providing a vegetable and you end up with "mixed vegetables" that consist of Lima beans, carrots, potatoes, corn, peas, and finally a few real veggies, green beans. Or the "upscale" blend of summer squash, yellow squash, carrots, and if you're lucky, cauliflower. What's worse, the nutritional specialists at these facilities say they are performing as trained!

    It's better then a lot of things they could be serving them.
  • naomigee161
    naomigee161 Posts: 41 Member
    and any "veggie" that you can make a flour out of (corn, lentils, beans, etc) are not veggies.

    in the UK, chickpeas, beans and lentils count as a vegetable portion (3 heaped tbsps) but they can only be counted once. so if you had 3tbsps each of chickpeas, beans and lentils in one day it would only count as 1 veg portion. :)
  • KimJohnsonsmile
    KimJohnsonsmile Posts: 222 Member
    I get my 5 servings 95% of the time. At least 3 servings are in my smoothie every morning, I usually have an apple for a midday snack, and I generally have salad w/ my dinner.

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