Captain 5-a-day for educator – Curriculum
Captain 5-A-Day audio program
6. Captain 5 A Day Facts
5
A Day Program
The 5 A Day for better health program is one of the first
National Nutrition Programs with a simple, positive message – eat 5 or
more servings of fruits and vegetables every day for better health. The
program is jointly sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and
the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH).
Goal of the National Program: to increase the amount of fruits and
vegetables people eat each day to 5 servings by the year 2000.
Currently, in Connecticut, adults are only eating 3.5 servings per day.
Nationally 1 in 5 children eat the recommended 5 servings of fruits and
vegetables every day. Nearly one fourth of those are French fries.
The goal of our Connecticut 5 A Day program is to target preschool
children, their families and teachers to help meet the National goal of
eating 5 A Day.
Why 5 A Day?
Nutrition Justification
Better Health
Eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day lowers risk
of cancer, heart disease and stroke. Overweight among preschoolers is a
growing national health concern. Overweight is a known risk factor for
chronic diseases. The Captain 5 A Day Program encourages healthy eating
in combination with daily physical activity. Eating a diet with 5
fruits and vegetables, along with other low fat foods such as 1 % milk
– and participating in daily physical activity may reverse this trend.
Better Nutrition
Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and fat while high in
vitamins, minerals and fiber needed for health and growth.
Better Habits
Children with good eating habits grow into healthier adults. Chronic
diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes develop
over a long time period. Developing healthy eating habits at an early
age is critical to lowering the risk for these diseases