CAN-A-DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY

Struggling to get your 5-a-day? Stock up on canned food – yes REALLY, says expert

Canned fruit is a great way to help reach your 5-a-day without spending a fortune, says dietitian Lucy Jones

Few people can claim to have missed this message - eating five pieces of fruit and veg a day is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle.

But, despite our best intentions and a seemingly simple task, reaching that gold standard can prove tricky.

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Ensuring you get your five portions of fruit and veg every day can prove tricky for some peopleCredit: Getty Images

A basket brimming with fresh produce can leave your wallet feeling more than a little battered.

And yet, there may be a cheaper solution, that's just as healthy.

Nutritionist Lucy Jones told The Sun Online canned fruit is a great way to tick off a portion or two, in a bid to reaching the five-a-day target.

She said: "There is ample time for the whole family to fit it into their diets from morning to evening, at home and on the go."

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Canned fruit is a fantastic addition to the likes of porridge, cereal or granola and can help us reach our five-a-day, without spending a fortune or having to regularly stock up on fresh alternatives

Lucy Jones, dietitian

The UK National Diet and Nutrition survey shows that just 27 per cent of adults manage to eat the recommended five-a-day, while just eight per cent of children achieve the gold standard.

One of the best times of the day to sneak a portion in, is at breakfast - the most important meal of the day, we are repeatedly told.

Lucy, who regularly appears on the BBC and Channel 4, partnered with Princes Fruit with Juice, to share her top tips to boost your five-a-day.

"Lots of us would agree that breakfast can be the most stressful meal of the day as the whole family rushes against the clock, so it's fantastic to see parents being resourceful and making breakfast fun," Lucy said.

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"Canned fruit is a fantastic addition to the likes of porridge, cereal or granola and can help us reach our five-a-day, without spending a fortune or having to regularly stock up on fresh alternatives."

Canned fruit is a fantastic addition to the likes of porridge, cereal or granola and can help us reach our five-a-day, without spending a fortune or having to regularly stock up on fresh alternativesCredit: Getty Images

Lucy's top five tips for winning at breakfast are:

1. Don't skip breakfast

"It amazes me how many people rush their breakfast compared with lunch and dinner, despite the fact that the majority of parents see it as the most important meal of the day," she said.

Past research has shown that children who skip breakfast are not as good at problem solving, and kids that do eat breakfast perform better in school.

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"So first and foremost, explain to your family why breakfast matters, and get everyone on board with eating well," she said.

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2. Organise your shopping list

This is where opting for canned over fresh fruit can prove a lifesaver, Lucy said.
Breakfast doesn't need to be boring, as long as you have lots of options on hand to make it appealing.

"It all starts with the supermarket shop, ensuring you've got a variety of options to cover off all the food groups," she said.

"Why not pick up some handy canned fruit with juice, a store cupboard essential which counts towards your five-a-day.

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