Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Check Out Educational Exhibits At Fair

Barbara A Holt, Ph.D

Clark County Extension Agent -

Family and Consumer Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

As you visit the Clark County Fair this week go in the educational exhibit building and look at all the things produced by county residents this year.

Pay special attendion to the fresh fruits and vegetables and those that have been preserved by canning or drying. There is a lesson to be learned here. Let them remind you to take the 5 A Day challenge.

During National 5 A Day Week 1997, September 14-20, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reminds everyone of a simple, clear standard for better health: Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

As fall activities gear up and we feel increased time constraints from jobs, family and other commitments, a healthful daily diet is easy to overlook. So during National 5 A Day Week 1997, NCI and its industry partner, Produce for Better Health Foundation, are focusing on the simplicity of eating 5 A Day, whether at home, at work, at school, in a restaurant, or just on the go.

Research shows many Americans are eating more fruits and vegetables than they did when the 5 A Day for Better Health program began in 1991. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture survey shows the average adult ate about 4.4 servings of fruits and vegetables a day in 1994, up from an average of 3.9 daily servings from 1981-91.

Most of our meals are still eaten at home, but we are taking more shortcuts in the kitchen to save time. The produce industry is making it easier for consumers to find convenient options by offering a wider variety of pre-washed, pre-cut fruits and vegetables, often in individual packaging.

Making healthy decisions often starts in the grocery store. There are many ways to make eating 5 A Day fast and easy.

• Buy low-fat yogurt, fruit juice and fresh, canned or frozen fruit to blend a quick fruit smoothie in the morning. Drink it at home or pour it into an insulated cup to keep it cold and take it with you.

• Buy 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice to quence your thirst during the day.

• Buy pre-cut vegetables, packaged or from the salad bar, for bag lunches and try dipping them in low or non-fat salad dressing.

• Buy dried fruit to snack on for a quick, tasty and healthy boost in the car, instead of stopping for less healthy impulse buys. Try a variety.

• At a restaurant, try vegetable pizza, vegetable pasta or a vegetable plate, and order a plain baked potato, vegetable soup or a small salad instead of fries.

Research shows that people who eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day may reduce their risk of some cancers, feel more energetic, and generally improve their overall health.

For more information on nutrition, call the Extension office at 246-2281.