by Ben Frayser

Created on: October 14, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

How many servings of vegetables does a bag of potato chips make?

If you are still asking that, then a little education is in order. Studies show that an apple a day does not keep a doctor away, but five to nine of them can keep him (or her) giving you good news! They want you to eat five to nine servings of fruit or vegetables a day. "Five Alive". They don't tell you how and, at first blush, this looks incredible and unreasonable.

Let's break it down, though. We'll start by defining what that means, figure out where we are at as far as a starting point, set a reachable goal, then another and another until the big goal is in sight.

The big goal, then, is at least nine servings of fruits or vegetables a day. They want you to eat mostly fruits and vegetables. Vegetable oil does not count in your total, nor does Gatorade. So both Mac Dougall's and gym show off juices are out, at least as far as meeting this goal. Fruit snacks are not really fruit (although they are ten percent fruit juice) and Juicy Fruit doesn't actually grow on trees.

So how do you get there? How can you possibly eat a medium size piece of fruit five to nine times a day? A baseball, bite by bite five times a day would take most of your spare time. If you try to eat it all in one setting, you'll be so stuffed you won't be able to eat a balanced diet.

What could those studies possibly mean by this?

You could eat a ladle full of green beans four times a day, two apples and an orange. Or you could mix it up even more. That would make seven servings.

Oh, I'm sorry. One more thing. No bacon in the green beans, or too much salt or butter. We're talking fruits and vegetables without all the extra. Otherwise, we're going to need more servings.

How can you possibly do this? It's easier than you think.

How about a plan. First, we'll make it easy: Eat what you like.

Although I have heard big burly guys say that they only like meat and potatoes and that's all they've ever eaten, I have watched them enjoy a grape or two. Or a few ears of corn. See? They're already part way there. Don't run out and buy up a bunch of Brussel's Sprouts in an attempt to get your life together. If you don't like them, it's only going to send you down in flames before you begin. Get the things you like and start easy.

How about a couple slices of melon for breakfast? It's not just a garnish. That's one of your servings out of the way. A small salad with your lunch (it'll keep you regular). Go with corn and green beans at dinner and you're one snack away from "Five Alive"! See? Not so hard!

Once you have five servings with consistency, it'll be easy to throw an extra apple in your lunch box and eat it mid morning. Or an orange (I'm always amazed at the comments I get when I eat oranges: "wow that smells good" and "that smells good enough to eat"). Stick to the things you like. Five strawberries is a serving. Ten is a totally delicious snack. If you don't like celery and carrot sticks, donate them to a mom's group somewhere and munch a sweet juicy mango. You'll be at that goal and ready to go beyond in no time! "Five Alive!" Nine in Time!

So why doesn't everyone do this, you might ask and that would be a fair question. It's too hard, fresh foods turn bad so fast, It's hard to keep it in the house, I didn't know I should. You can pick an excuse or pick something that looks good and eat to your heart's content.

You can taste the difference, feel the benefits and know the satisfaction with just a few small changes in your diet and a goal. Do it today! Do it for life! Do it for your loved ones!

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