Written by: Jessye Goertz, Extension Educator
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
If “Eat 5-a-Day” and “Eat 5 to 9-a-Day” sound
familiar, you’re familiar with the current national fruit and vegetable
campaign. To make people more aware of the importance of fruits and
vegetables in our diet, the marketing plan is taking on a new look.
During the next couple of years consumers
will be hearing more about the new national fruit and vegetable campaign:
“Fruits and veggies, more matters”. This new brand identity will be
formally launched to consumers in March of 2007, but consumers may already
have seen the new slogan and logo on packages and promotions.
Research suggests that fruit and vegetable
consumption may help reduce the risk of some cancers, diabetes, heart
disease, and stroke. It may even help fight against obesity. While
the original goal was to encourage people to eat at least five servings
a day, then upped to five to nine servings a day, surveys show that
most people did not eat that much. And, when the 2005 Dietary Guidelines
for Americans came out, the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables
that should be consumed each day actually increased.
Regardless of whether you are getting the
recommended amounts of “fruits or veggies” or not, the new campaign
encourages everyone to eat more...thus the suggestion “more matters”.
There are many ways to increase the number of fruits and vegetables
in your diet. Here are a few examples:
- Try a new variety or unfamiliar fruit or vegetable. What about
a broccoli slaw salad mix, or a new 100% fruit juice?
- Choose sweet potatoes instead of
white potatoes for higher potassium and beta carotene.
- Keep fruit or vegetables handy for
a snack instead of high fat, high sugar foods.
If you’d like information to help you include
more fruits and vegetables in your diet, there are many resources available
on the Internet. Take a look at the USDA site, MyPyramid.gov. You’ll
find out how many cups of fruits and vegetables you should eat each
day, and be given ideas on ways to incorporate more into your diet.
Remember, “Fruits and veggies, more matters”.
If you wish to leave feedback about this TIPS for Families, click on
the TIPS Feedback Form at the bottom of this page. For more information
on nutrition go to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln publication website
at www.ianrpub.unl.edu and
click on Families.
