Five Portions/Fruit Juice

[Wispy68]

My daughter has always been a very fussy eater, especially when it comes to fruit and vegetables. Is it possible to get the same nutrition from drinking a certain amount of fruit juice as eating the recommended 'five portions' of fruit and vegetables a day? Thanks.

[Loosehead]

Yes a glass of fuit juice, (proper fruit juice, not sunny d etc) counts as one portion of the five recommended portions. She should really eat some solid fruit and veg as well. Just use the ones she likes, they mostly count as one portion.

[camille79]

This is true, however, juice is only counted as a single portion no matter how much you drink due to it not having the fibre etc found in the whole fruit.  For example:1 glass orange juice=1portion but 1 glass orange juice plus 1 glass apple juice plus one glass grape juice still only counts as a single portion.

You could try blending banana and berries or other soft fruit and a splash of juice or milk for your daughter as this could give you up to 3 portions.  For example: 1 glass juice (1 portion) plus 1 medium banana (blended/mashed) (1 portion) plus 7 strawberries (blended) (1 portion).  Thus giving you a total of 3 servings.

It's all a bit complicated but explained well by the FSA on their website www.food.gov.uk

[natalie_1982]

Tomato, vegetable, carrot and coriander soups also count as a portion.

And I'm sure I read somewhere that fruit yoghurts also count as a portion, but don't hold me to it, it may be wishful thinking on my part.  Someone else may be able to clarify that though.

[natalie_1982]

http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/asksam/healthydiet/fruitandvegq/#A218497

This site is very interesting about 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.

[Wispy68]

Thank you all very much for your helpful answers. Very interesting website, too! Cheers.