Five portions a day?

patchwork_cat

Just thought I would add that potatoes do not count towards your five a day.

moanymoany

Re a smoothie. If you eat a can of peaches - 2 portions. 1 banana - 1 portion - portion of berries - 1 - portion of fruit juice - 1

I really will not accept that because they are blended they only count as one.

If the f&v being chopped small makes it not count in the same way- what the hell happens when you chew it? I don't know about you, but I chew my food reasonably well, does this mean it doesn't count?

I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sammyjig

moanymoany wrote: »

Re a smoothie. If you eat a can of peaches - 2 portions. 1 banana - 1 portion - portion of berries - 1 - portion of fruit juice - 1

I really will not accept that because they are blended they only count as one.

If the f&v being chopped small makes it not count in the same way- what the hell happens when you chew it? I don't know about you, but I chew my food reasonably well, does this mean it doesn't count?

I don't think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree, what about when you chop up the veg really small and disguise it in bolognese or whatever for the kids as mentioned earlier in the thread. Doesn't each different veg count there? why should a smoothie be different?

patchwork_cat

I do agree about the smoothies and have spotted a number of articles that say a smoothie is in fact 2 portions.

buxtonrabbitgreen

If my veggie DS had actually eaten his dinner tonight his 5 a day would have been sorted. Cowboy pie containing onion sweetcorn tomatoes peppers carrot fried up and put in a casserole with cubes of cheese then thinly sliced potatoes on top. Cooked till potatoes brown and looked lovely. But no he ate cookies crisps and toast.
He will eat it tomorrow though. as there are no crisps or cookies left.

Lalaladybird

I have learned so much following the OS threads about cutting grocery budgets but I still spend about £20 a week on fruit and veg, if not more:eek:. I'd really appreciate suggestions how I can reduce this and still get my 5 a day. I have a husband and a 1 year old and don't have a garden so can't grow my own.

Thanks everyone:D xx

Penelope_Penguin

Hi there :beer: Wehave an existing thread (to which I'll add this one later) 5 portions a day

What we do:

• lentils count, so they're added to meaty dishes
• eat seasonally - it's cheaper
• farm shops and markets are usually chepaer than big supermarkets
• frozen and tinned F&V count, too - that can be cheaper
• cut out the meat - a veggie main meal can contain 3 portions of veg

HTH, Penny. x

Olliebeak

Farmshops are very good for fresh fruit and veg and so are independent green-grocers. Unfortunately we don't have a very good green-grocer and have to rely on the supermarket.

Do you ever check out the SmartPrice/Value/Basics range of fruit and veg at your local supermarket?

Asda, at the moment, have been doing a SP range. The potatoes have been 57p for 5lbs. Parsnips and also green drumhead cabbages for 57p. Leeks were around £1 for about 4 trimmed leeks (Not the great big leeks). Onions 67p for 4lbs. Carrots 77p for 4lbs. Mushrooms 1.5lbs for £1.16. Bananas £1.07 for 3lbs. Apples 77p for 2lbs. Pears 84p for 2 lbs. I wouldn't buy the cheap oranges though - as these often vary in taste so much - some people like sharp ones while others like sweet ones. Always best to find what suits you with these and then stick to them.

One of the things is to make sure that you store the fruit and veg properly so that it doesn't go off before you have a chance to use it up. THAT was the mistake I made when I had a veg box delivered - I wasted so much of it. Always best to work out what needs using up the quickest (ie broccoli loses it's colour VERY quickly; mushrooms aren't up to much after 2-3 days); then make sure you store other things properly (cool/dark place OUT of any polythene bags; possibly wrapped in newspaper; gardeners often store veg covered in sand/peat and not touching each other to prevent mould setting in). Personally, I now prep and freeze as much as possible including garlic and onions - just never freeze veg that is looking past its best.

They also do the 'stew-pack' veggies for £1.38 and in that you get about 2lbs carrots, a swede, 3 onions, 4 parsnips. I buy these 2 at a time and I immediately peel, prep, blanch and freeze all the veg in one of them and use some of the 2nd bag for a pan of scouse.

Don't forget that tinned/frozen/dried fruit and veg all count towards your 5 a day as well. From August to Sept you can always pick your own blackberries as well for FREE!

hamstercheeks_2

home made veggie soup
one bag of carrot batons
two leeks (large...ish)
one swede
one cup of lentils (boil in pan for 10 mins then strain and add to chopped veggies)
8 oxo veggie stock cubes - salt and pepper

simmer for 2 hours
lasts for days

Primrose

If you can get cheap vegetables, they don't have to be cooked, which can save on fuel bills. Grated carrots, turnips, swedes can be mixed together to make colourful winter salads & coleslaws, especially if you include red and white cabbage. If you can buy cauliflowers from markets with all the extra stalks and foliage on, grab them as the stalks can be chopped up to add to soup, or cut in strips to make crudites to be eaten with savoury dips.
Don't buy the pre-prepared cut and grated vegetables from supermarkets. They are expensive and deteriorate rapidly.