American experts say 'Eat your vegies'

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 256, 27 September 1988, Page 5

American experts say 'Eat your vegies'

"Eat your veges" is a command almost all of us would remember hearing from our parents. Now, after four years' work by 50 scientists and 200 other experts, the United States Surgeon General has released a report supporting what our elders knew all along.

"The report is expected to have as much impact on the world as the landmark 1964 report on smoking and health, which began an on-going assault on smoking," says M r Jeffery J. Turner, general manager of Turners and Growers Litnited.

"One point of significance is that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables helps decrease the incidence of various pancer. In a country with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables available, that is one way we can help keep ourselves

healthy," he added. "Overall the consumption of fruit has remained stable during the past seven years. Figures from the Department of Statis-

tics on fruit expenditure in New Zealand for 1980-87 show consumption has risen very little. In 1987 the most popular fruits were bananas (57 per cent), apples (47 per

cent) and oranges (27 per cent)," said Mr Tumer. Recommendations from the surgeon general's report include: • Reduce consumption of fat, particularly saturated fat and cholesterol. Substitute with fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, lean mcat, poultry and low-fat products.

• Achieve and maintain a desirable body weight. • Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, cereal products and other complex carbohydrates and fibre. • Reduce intake of sodium and limit the addition of salt to food. • Reduce or avoid alcohol. Alcohol should be limited to two

drinks a day and avoided when driving, operating machinery, taking medicine o r when pregnant. "The old saying is true, you are what you eat", says Mr Turner. For the sake of your health, maintain a high intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and you will have health and vitality.