Five Fruits & Vegetables

Strive to eat at least FIVE servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a growing child’s healthy diet. Most fruits and vegetables are full of nutrients and naturally low in calories and fat, making them a healthy choice any time. And they are packed with water and fiber, which makes them filling.

Tips for Success:

1. Offer new fruits and vegetables and old favorites together. It can take more than 10 tries for kids to like a new food, so don’t give up if they don’t like it the first time. Try again soon.
2. Keep fruits and vegetables in children’s view on the counter or in the fridge. Pre-cut them to make it easier to grab and go.
3. Ask kids to help choose different vegetables and fruits for the menu.
4. Get kids involved in washing and cooking fruits and vegetables. (A 3-year-old can wash and shred lettuce; older kids can enjoy more kitchen responsibilities.) Children love to eat what they help prepare.
5. Make sure there are fruit or vegetable options at every meal.
6. Be creative. Add fruits and vegetables to pancakes, cereal, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta, tacos, and sandwiches.

More Information
More FIVE resources can be found at our 5-2-1-Almost None Online Resources page.