5ive alive.

Obesity is on the increase and I keep telling myself to exercise more and to eat more healthily. It can be hard sticking to the plan when it's so much easier to lie in front of the TV (especially now that Home & Away is back!) and stuff your face with chips. Getting your 5-a-day also helps prevent diseases because fruit/veg contain a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Here's a few ways to include that five fruit/veg per day into your daily life.

♥ Chop up a banana and put it on your cereal / porridge. Bananas are pretty big though, so it's best to share a banana, unless you loooove bananas.

♥ Whizz up a smoothie to start off your day. This is a great way to get in your 5-a-day, especially since you don't need to chop / peel / spit out seeds etc. There are so many recipes on the internet, you're sure to find something to your taste.

♥ Make a salad using vegetables which are in season, which means they are fresher and also cheaper. I don't like eating rabbit food, so I add a nice dollop or salad dressing or tuna or pasta. Sweetcorn is an amazing addition. Who doesn't like sweetcorn?

♥ Sandwiches are also good. Add lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers or whatever takes your fancy. Or peppers, gherkins or olives? I'm just thinking of what Subway offers...

♥ Alternatively, have a baked potato with avocado for your lunch. Avocadoes are good fats (like omega 3) and the carbs from the potato give you energy. Eat the potato skin!

♥ Try to eat a small apple, pear or tangerine whenever you have a meal. That extra portion of fruit makes a big difference to your daily intake.

♥ If you get peckish throughout the day, snack on some dried fruit. Cranberries, raisins, prunes, dates and figs are tasty, low in calories and keep you regular!

♥ Use fresh tomatoes in your pasta sauce (lasagne, spaghetti, ravioli). Also great for soups, risotto, salsa.

♥ Have fruit as a dessert. Pick something special like a mango, cherries, peaches, pineapple or strawberries to make it a bit 'exciting'. Treat yourself and add a dash of cream. Fattening but sooo good!

♥ Fruit juices can also count towards your 5-a-day. Try to pick something fresh and not from concentrate so you are sure you're getting the best. Don't drink them too late at night though because they are acidic.