Eating Enough Fruits & Veggies
The season of farmer's markets and fresh produce is upon us. Here are some smart tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help you and your student be produce-savvy and on your way to better health!

What Should I Eat on a Daily Basis?
Take the simple quiz at www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov to find out how many fruits and veggies you need on a daily basis. Plug in your age, gender and level of physical activity for an instant reading.

What Constitutes a Cup?
Your results are given to you in cups. So, here's a chart to help you figure what constitutes a cup:

FRUITS
- 1 small apple = one cup
- 1 large banana = one cup
- 1 medium grapefruit = one cup
- 1 large orange = one cup
- 1 medium pear = one cup
- 1 small watermelon wedge = one cup
- 2 large or 3 medium plums = one cup
- 8  large strawberries = one cup
- 2 medium cantaloupe wedges = one cup
- 32 grapes = one cup
- 2 snack containers of applesauce = one cup (8 oz. total)
- 2 small boxes of raisins = one cup
- 2 cups of lettuce = one cup
- 1 cup of 100% fruit juice = one cup


VEGGIES
- 1 large bell pepper = one cup
- 1 medium potato = one cup
- 2 large stalks of celery = one cup
- 1 cup cooked greens or 2 cups raw = one cup
  (spinach, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens)
- 1 large ear of corn = one cup
- 12 baby carrots or 2 medium  carrots = one cup
- 1 large sweet potato = one cup
- 10 broccoli florets = one cup
- 1 cup salsa = one cup

How Can I Incorporate More Fruits & Veggies Into My Diet?

• Top granola or yogurt with sliced apples or frozen berries
  
• Top toasted whole wheat bread with peanut butter and sliced bananas
  
• Add vegetables, such as diced tomatoes and onions, to your omelet
  
• Put grapes and banana slices on wooden skewers and freeze for “fruit on a stick"
  
• Add frozen spinach to tomato sauce and put it on whole wheat pasta
  
• Ask for less cheese and more vegetables on your pizza
  
• Spread low-fat cheese and low-fat or fat-free refried beans between two whole wheat tortillas, brown on both sides in a pan until the cheese melts and top with salsa
  
• Add frozen vegetables, like peas and broccoli, to pasta
  
• Open canned soup, add 1-2 cups of frozen vegetables and serve on top of rice
  
• Add grapes, sliced apples or pears to chicken salad
  
• Add tomatoes, radishes and green peppers to tuna salad
  
• Top broiled meat, chicken or fish with salsa

Source: www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov