manchester

healthy options

food and drink

Fruit

EATING five portions of fruit and vegetables a day is the most important thing you can do to help yourself be healthy.

They are packed with vitamins and minerals which boost your body's immune system to help you cope with winter and are a rich source of fibre. People whose diet is mainly based on fruit and vegetables are known to be at lower risk of developing heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes.

And fitting in five portions a day need not be that difficult, you do not need to wade through platefuls of broccoli. A handful of dried apricots, adding chopped peppers to pasta sauce or eating a banana for breakfast, instead of toast are simple options. And if you cannot get really fresh fruit and veg then opt for dried or frozen. Best for boosting the immune system are red onions, tomatoes, oranges, broccoli, red peppers, mangoes, spinach, apricots and spinach. When everyone else is succumbing to flu and you remain fighting fit it will have been worth it!

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