“Let’s start at the very beginning…a very good place to start; When you read you begin with A, B, C…”

And when you think of fruit and vegetables?  You begin with… “an apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

With winter arriving in the Northern Hemisphere one tends to go for the “comfort” foods, for example breads, pastas, and warm puddings.  It is important, however, to make sure that you and your family eat balanced, nutritious meals, in order to keep illnesses, dry skin and lack of energy, at bay.

Fruits like Apples, Bananas, Berries (blackberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, gooseberries), Grapes, Nectarines, Oranges, Papaya, Pears, Kiwi fruit, Pineapple and Pomegranate, are packed with nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

Apples, for example, contain many vitamins and minerals, are a high source of soluble fibre, are rich in antioxidants and keep the blood sugar levels constant;

Berries contain plenty of vitamins and antioxidants (the latter help fight free radicals and the ageing process).

Seasonal vegetables like Artichokes, Asparagus, Aubergines (Brinjal / Eggplant), Avocado, Beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Corn, Leek, Mushrooms, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spinach, Sweet Potato and Tomatoes, are also full of nutrients and packed with goodness.

Carrots and Peppers, for example, are packed with beta-carotene.  The body converts this into Vitamin A (important for good eyesight; especially night vision and the immune system).

Sweet Potatoes are rich in antioxidants, high in folic acid and stabilize oestrogen levels, alleviate PMS and menopausal-symptoms.

Although not in season at the moment dried apricots contain plenty of iron, vitamin A, C and beta carotene (important for keeping anaemia at bay, healthy eyes and a strong immune system).

So mom, dad, students; when packing your lunchboxes, making supper or eating out, don’t forget your fruit and vegetables.

Feeling that afternoon-slump creeping up?  Before you run to the biscuit tin, grab an apple to keep your blood sugar levels even…

Need an instant energy-lift?  Grab a banana!