Start the Day with 5 A Day (2556)

A phrase that you may be hearing is "5-a-day for better health." The food guide pyramid recommends approximately five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Eating five fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease and improve overall health.

Whether you begin your morning with a light or a hearty meal, include fruit to add healthful nutrients. Fruits contain vitamins, minerals and fiber, and they have little fat, no cholesterol, and very little sodium.

A glass of fruit juice can help you get off to a good start. All fruit juices have good nutritional value. Check the food label to be sure they are 100% juice.

Orange and grapefruit juice are especially high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is required for good health. It also helps make the iron in breakfast cereals and breads more available for use in your body.

Other fruits for breakfast include bananas, cantaloupe, strawberries, and many more. Fruits that are deep yellow-orange in color, such as apricots and cantaloupe, are good sources of vitamin A. Nearly all fruits supply potassium and fiber.

Eat fruits as well as drinking fruit juices. Fruits are higher in fiber than fruit juices. Top breakfast cereals with fruit in order to add natural sweetness and important nutrients.

Get off to a good start—add fruit to your first meal!

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

Feel free to forward, post or reprint any of the "Solutions" in their entirely, but please credit http://www.solutions.psu.edu/ as the original source of information, and please do not change the content.