#5ADay Fruits & Vegetables Challenge
Bermuda Is Love has launched the #5ADay Fruits & Vegetables Challenge to encourage the public to eat at least 5 servings of fruits or vegetables per day for the month of April 2023.
A spokesperson said, “The purpose of the campaign is to help make it easier for people to choose healthier foods by providing options and information as it relates to healthy eating and living; and to help establish healthier habits and lifestyles, with healthy foods becoming the main choice of sustenance in the long term.
“Healthy eating is one of the most vital components of a lifestyle that contributes to our quality of life and to the prevention of many chronic diseases and conditions. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been associated with lower risks for many chronic diseases, including some cancers and cardiovascular disease.
“However, there are many competing forces in our society that urge people to choose high-fat, high-calorie foods. Sales of fast foods and restaurant fare have increased in the last fewdecades, whereas consumption of fruits and vegetables in this country has remained unchanged.
“The World Obesity Federation’s 2023 atlas predicts that 51% of the world, or more than 4 billion people, will be obese or overweight within the next 12 years. More than half of the world’s population will be overweight or obese by 2035 without significant action, according to a new report.
“Locally, a 2018 Ministry of Health survey found that 75% of the island’s adult residents are overweight and more than a third of adults are obese. The prevalence of obesity and diabetes in Bermuda is one of the highest amongst OECD countries with 25% of our island’s population having some form of diabetes.
“Therefore, Bermuda Is Love has organized the #5ADay Challenge to encourage the public to commit to eating 5 fruits and vegetables per day for the month of April which will help to lower your risk of developing serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer; reduce your risk of obesity or of being overweight; and you will feel healthier doing so, while also increasing overall population health.
“The #5ADay Fruits & Vegetables Challenge is based on advice from the World Health Organization [WHO], which recommends eating a minimum of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day to lower the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
“Fruit and vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet and can help you stay healthy, and it is important that we eat enough of them. Evidence shows there are significant health benefits to getting at least 5 servings of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. That’s 5 servings of fruit and vegetables in total, not 5 servings of each. One serving of fruit or vegetables is 80 grams.
5 reasons for eating #5ADay
- 1. Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C, and potassium.
- 2. They’re an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
- 3. They can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
- 4. Fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthy, balanced diet.
- 5. Fruit and vegetables taste delicious and there’s so much variety to choose from.
What does eating #5ADay look like?
- 1. Have a fruit for breakfast as your first serving, i.e., a medium sized apple or banana [you can even include it in a smoothie].
- 2. For your second serving, why not have some grapes or an orange as a snack.
- 3. For lunch, consider having a salad for your third serving [1 cup].
- 4. For your fourth serving, have a ½ cup of vegetables with a ranch or hummus dip.
- 5. Finally, ensure that you have at least 1 cup of vegetables for your dinner.
“By committing to #5ADay you will lower your risk of developing serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer; reduce your risk of obesity or of being overweight; and you will feel healthier doing so.
“Moreover, as part of the #5ADay Fruits & Vegetables Challenge we have organized a variety of community events involving food nutrition, food security, plastics in food, and how we can build healthier lifestyles as a community.
“The first week of the campaign will focus on food nutrition. Food nutrition relates to what makes up a healthy and balanced diet. Understanding food nutrition will make it easier for you to make better food choices and know when you are eating both healthy and unhealthy foods. This first week will include a volunteer event with the Eliza Doolittle Society on Saturday, April 1 from 9:30am to 12:30pm; and a Food Nutrition Panel Discussion including Sarah Wight, Dr Peter Perinchief, and Sinead Salandy on Wednesday, April 5 at BUEI, Tradewinds Auditorium from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
“The second week of the campaign will focus on food security. While most people understand the importance of having a healthy diet for themselves and their families, as well as what foods and drinks make up a healthy diet, there is a gap between what they aspire to eat and what they actually eat. The reality is that eating a healthy, balanced diet is not just down to individual choice and willpower. The environment in which we live influences our diet, from the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables to time pressures and cultural norms and even genetic makeup. The second week will discuss how we can all have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food and the options currently available. This week will include a Food Security Panel Discussion with Chris Faria, Greg Wilson, Clare Mello, and Tom Wadson on Wednesday, April 12 at BUEI, Tradewinds Auditorium from 7:00pm to 8:30pm; and a Community Garden event at T. N. Tatem Community Garden on Saturday, April 15 from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
“The third week of the campaign will highlight the problem of plastics within our food system, how it affects our blood stream and our bodies, and what we can do to avoid them. Plastics have been found within human blood, breast milk, and all the food we eat. What does this mean for our health and the health of our children? This third week will include an online Lunch & Learn Event: Plastics in Food provided by Hannah Horsfield of BUEI on Wednesday, April 19 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm; and a volunteer Trash Cleanup event with Keep Bermuda Beautiful at Collector’s Hill, 2 South Road, Smith’s on Saturday, April 22 from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
“The final week will focus on encouraging healthy lifestyles, such as staying fit and active, and ultimately being aware of one’s own health status. Similar to the right to healthy food, the right to health is a public right, and it requires all of us to act as socially responsible individuals to ensure the health and safety of our community. In the final week of the campaign, we will discuss various ways you can stay fit and healthy and look after your own health. This week will include a Yoga Class provided by VeryRare Yoga on Wednesday, April 26 from 6:45pm to 8:00pm at Fort Scaur; and a Free Health Screening provided by Oceanrock Wellness on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
“Finally, as part of the #5ADay Challenge we will also be sharing weekly articles, infographics, videos, and interviews corresponding with each weekly topic, regarding food nutrition, food security, plastics in food, and healthy lifestyles. Check out our Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok for further information about the #5ADay Challenge and how you can get involved.
“We hope that you will participate in the #5ADay Challenge. Please join any of our events as we encourage eating healthy food and living healthy lives during the month of April. All events are free to attend, and no registration is required.
“Take the #5ADay pledge and challenge yourself to eating five fruits or vegetables per day for the month of April! You have what it takes!”
Grand events! Great life changing topics.