Take colour for a spin with fruit and vegies

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick today delivered on an election commitment to update the fruit and vegetable campaign Go for 2&5.

The fresh colour wheel campaign encouraging Queenslanders to eat a range of different coloured fruit and vegetables was today launched at Eagle Farm markets

“Our new campaign doesn't just focus on eating two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day. We want Queenslanders to add colour to their plate,” Mr Dick said.

“Eating a rainbow of coloured fruit and vegetables ensures we are getting a variety of essential nutrients, like vitamins and dietary fibre.

“Our successful Go for 2&5 campaign, which ran from 2006 to 2009, really resonated with Queenslanders of all ages.”

“Why not take the challenge and take colour for a spin. I’d encourage everyone to add different vegetables or fruit to their day.”

Queensland Health senior nutritionist Jane Miller said not eating the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables was a major risk factor for disease.

“In Queensland, only nine per cent of adults and six per cent of children consume the recommended vegetables serves daily. About half of Queensland adults and a third of Queensland children also need to eat more fruit,” she said.

“Eating the right amount and a variety of different coloured fruit and vegetables every day is essential for good health. The vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals found in brightly coloured fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers and even stroke.”

Mr Dick said vegetables and fruit were cheap compared to processed food, and frozen and tinned vegetables and fruit were just as good as fresh.

“To help Queenslanders add more fruit and vegetables to their diet, more than 50 new recipes have been added to the Healthier.Happier website: http://healthier.qld.gov.au/”

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Fraser 0428 690 679