Magic Portion

‘THERE is some debate as to what constitutes a portion, as heard in the familiar medical advice “five portions of fruit and veg a day”.

Take three times a day

Is a single blueberry a portion?

If one item equates to one portion, does an entire cauliflower contain the same life-preserving qualities as a carrot, a gooseberry or a pea?

To add to the general sense of confusion, the Telegraph has learnt of new advice, which says that three pieces of the Holy Duo of fruit and veg might be enough.

Dr Demosthenes Panagiotakos (which, coincidentally, is the scientific name for an elderberry) has found that there are little added health benefits between three pieces and five.

As the Doc says, “three is the cut-off point where your reach a plateau”.

But the research undertaken on 800 heart patients and 1,000 healthy adults has yet to convince everyone.

While some of us embark on a new health kick, asking for three slices of gherkin in our McFatso And Cheese, the British Heart Foundation still recommends five pieces, while the Australians recommend a whopping six.

Which means that, by our quick fag packet calculation, Australians should live for twice as long as the average Greek – unless the hole in the ozone, the spiders and the isolation get to them first…’

Posted: 2nd, September 2003 | In: Broadsheets Comment | TrackBack | Permalink