So this week it emerged that eating 5 portions of fruit and veg (the recommended amount in the UK) isn’t enough.

Instead we should be eating 7 portions per day.

What are my thoughts on this?

I disagree, I believe 7 is still not enough and for optimal health and performance we should aim for closer to 10.

The health benefits are kind of obvious like having anti cancer properties, helping fight heart disease etc but what about performance.

As I’ve mentioned in previous emails, the more quality micro nutrients you absorb the better your body is able to absorb the macro nutrients necessary to fuel performance and recovery.

Aside form this the various vitamins we will get from a good intake of veg help with fighting off disease and we all know how important it is NOT to get ill when were trying to improve performance.

Now, its not always easy to get all that veg.

As an example I was on the road last weekend and although I took food with me I inevitably ran out and we all know what happens then………

Chocolate brownies and KFC!

Yum Yum then Ergh Ergh.

There are loads of ways to get the veg in.

Some people juice, personally I don’t.

Some people have greens drinks, personally I don’t.

I try to keep it simple and just eat 10 fist full of fruit and veg a day, usually just 2 portions of fruit.

Then on the occasional days when I can’t get enough I don’t feel quite so bad because I know I’ve got back up.

Getting enough veg is the easiest, cheapest and best bang for your buck way of improving health and performance.

There are loads of strategies I use to help people with this and they always report an improvement in how they feel and how fast they swim, bike and run.

Simple hey?