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How Do We Get Our 5 A Day?

How many vegetables and pieces of fruit do we eat in a day? 

The answer truly depends on where you live. In places such as Japan, the health advice is to consume at least 10 pieces a day. In the US, however, doctors recommend at least 5 a day. 


It’s not always easy to get your 5 vegetables and fruits a day. In fact, if you have a hectic lifestyle, you can struggle to stick to healthy choices. When you have no other option but to pick something on your way to work and have a sandwich for lunch, you can fall behind the healthy recommended amount rapidly. So how can you make it work for the whole family? Here are little tips to keep your household happy and healthy. 


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Should everybody eat vegetables and fruits?

It is a very good question to ask. We understand what the nutritional needs of people should be — most food labels refer to the expected nutritional value for the average adult. One word of warning: Multivitamins can help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. However, multivitamins need to act as a complement to your diet, not a replacement. In other words, you would benefit more from drinking freshly pressed orange juice than from taking a tablet of vitamin C.


If you have pets, you may be wondering about their nutritional needs. Do dogs need to eat 5 veggies and fruits a day? The answer is no. Dogs do not process nutrients and vitamins in the same way our body does. Some fruits and vegetables are unhealthy for your pet. Avocados, which are full of goodness for people, are toxic to dogs. They can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Grapes are highly dangerous for dogs and can lead to acute kidney failure. In case of doubt, it’s best to look for professionally prepared food that will contain all the right ingredients. You can trust the best natural puppy food to be a source of vitamins, grains, and some vegetables (carrots are a favorite).



Vegetables can be fun

Getting the whole family to eat plenty of veggies and fruits can be tricky. But here are some excellent tips to make a healthy diet more enjoyable and integrated into your routine. For young children, it’s a good idea to introduce them to new vegetables by adding those into some of their favorite dishes. If they enjoy your spaghetti alla bolognese, why not add thinly cut carrots and zucchini into the sauce? It’s a great way of showing them that veggies can be fun and enhance flavor. Picky eaters can even be tricked with yummy treats hiding healthy ingredients. You can add beetroots to your muffin batter, for instance, or throw a cheeky handful of spinach leaves into their morning banana smoothie.


Families who are more receptive to vegetable goodness can maximize benefits by switching to a plant-based diet. You can have a weekly plant-based meal that is packed with goodness. Meat and fish lovers can relax; you don’t have to become a vegan to enjoy a plant-based recipe from time to time. 


Are you ready to pack enough greens in your household’s diet? While it is a challenge to bring more veggies and fruits into our day-to-day lives, it is a fantastic habit to introduce to the household. Remember that not everyone will have the same needs. People and pets shouldn’t share meals, for a start. But you can extend your good habits to your pet’s diet too. 


Photo by Wendy Wei from Pexels



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