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Recent research shows that most adults in WA would benefit from increasing their fruit and vegetable intake. A lifetime habit of eating fruit and vegetables every day can help prevent:

  • Some forms of cancer
  • Overweight and obesity
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Constipation

    It can also:
  • Reduce blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels
  • Improve control of diabetes.

West Australian adults eat on average 2.6 serves of vegetables per day, half the recommended 5 serves for good health.

 

 

  Although people eat vegetables on most days, they need to increase the amount they eat.

West Australian adults eat on average 1.6 serves of fruit per day, most should eat more for their health.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should aim to eat 4 to 5 serves of fruit and 6 to 7 serves of vegetables to meet the extra demands of the body.

 
 
  How many serves are you eating
and what is a serve?
There are lots of ways you can increase the number of serves you get each day. But, what is a serve? What if you eat a bowl of salad? Or, a carrot. Or a few spoons of peas. What makes a serve? It varies for different types of fruit and vegetables. Here’s a guide.
   
 
 

One serve of fruit is 150 grams of fresh fruit or
· 1 medium-sized piece (eg. apple)
· 2 smaller pieces (eg apricots)
· 1 cup canned or chopped fruit

Choose fresh fruit instead of fruit juice or dried fruit. Juices have lower fibre content than fresh fruit. Dried fruit, if eaten in large quantities, can contribute to tooth decay because it contains a concentrated form of sugar that stick to your teeth.