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How to eat more fruits and vegetables

Easy Ways to Add More Fruits & Veggies to Your Day

Antara Nutrition Team avatar
Written by Antara Nutrition Team
Updated over 2 weeks ago

A great dietary goal: At least 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables per day

To maintain a well-balanced diet, we need to incorporate healthy portions of starch/carbohydrates, protein, vegetables and fruit in every main meal.

Day

Fruit of the Day

Veggie of the Day

How to Include It

Monday

Banana

Sukuma wiki (collard greens)

Banana with breakfast, sukuma with lunch/dinner

Tuesday

Orange

Carrots

Orange as a snack, grated carrot in salad

Wednesday

Watermelon

Spinach

Watermelon slice with breakfast, spinach with lunch/dinner

Thursday

Apple

Cabbage

Apple as a snack, cabbage with lunch/dinner

Friday

Pineapple

Green beans (michiri)

Pineapple slice with lunch, stir-fried beans for lunch/dinner

Saturday

Pawpaw

Tomatoes & onions

Pawpaw as snack, add tomatoes to scrambled eggs

Sunday

Mango (small slice)

Mixed leafy greens (terere etc.)

Mango in smoothie, greens with lunch/dinner


Easy Ways to Add More Fruits & Veggies to Your Day

Boosting your fruit and veggie intake doesn’t have to be complicated. These quick swaps and creative ideas can help you eat healthier without sacrificing flavor!

🍳 Better Breakfasts – Start Smart!

  • Swap the Spread: Ditch margarine or jam—spread creamy mashed avocado with chopped tomatoes and onions on your toast for a savory upgrade.

  • Veggie Up Your Omelet: Replace one egg with spinach, or onions to bulk up your omelet and cut the fat.

  • Fruit-Topped Cereal: Sprinkle sliced bananas, mango, onto your whole-grain cereal, pour in milk, and grab a bottle of fresh veggie or fruit juice for the road.

  • Plan Ahead: Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier or prep your breakfast the night before. Pack fruits or veggies in your morning grab-and-go.

  • Oatmeal in a Mug: Make thick porridge or oatmeal in a cup and top it with nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for a power-packed morning.

  • Fruit-Filled Pancakes: Add mashed bananas to your pancake batter for a naturally sweet, fiber-rich twist.


🥙 Lunch & Dinner – More Color, More Flavor

  • Rebalance Your Sandwich: Use half the meat or cheese and pile on crunchy veggies like cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, or bell peppers.

  • Fruity Salads: Toss in grated carrots, apples, celery, pineapple, or dried cranberries to meat or leafy salads—it’s a game changer.

  • Peanut Butter with a Twist: Slice in half a banana or apple to your peanut butter sandwich and reduce the spread—healthier, tastier!

  • Go Veg When Dining Out: Opt for veggie-packed menu items like stir-fries, wraps, or plant-based bowls.

  • Veggie Rice: Stir peas, carrots, or sweet corn into your rice for added nutrients and color.


🍏 Snack Time – Keep It Fresh

  • Yogurt + Fruit = Yum: Stir in your favorite fruits—mango, passionfruit, or grapes—to plain yogurt.

  • DIY Fruit Kebabs: Thread chunks of pineapple, watermelon, and berries onto skewers for a fun, colorful treat.

  • Frozen Popsicles: Blend fresh fruits and freeze into popsicles for a refreshing, healthy snack.

  • Grab-and-Go: Stock up on easy-to-carry fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, or strawberries for quick bites when you're on the move.

🍉 Daily Fruit Servings for Adults

Gender

Daily Fruit Intake

What That Looks Like

Women

1½ to 2 cups per day

🥭 1 medium mango + 🍊 1 tangerine, or 🍌 1 banana + ½ cup fresh pineapple

Men

2 cups per day

🍎 1 apple + 🍇 1 cup grapes, or 🍍 1 cup pineapple + 🍓 1/2 cup strawberries

🍏 Examples of 1 Cup of Fruit:

  • 1 medium apple, orange, or banana

  • 1 cup sliced mango, watermelon, or pawpaw

  • 1 cup 100% natural fruit juice (no sugar added)

  • ½ cup dried fruit (e.g., raisins, mango, pineapple)


Let your Antara Nutritionist know if you are having any difficulties or challenges in managing your diet.

Book a session with an Antara Nutritionist through the Antara App or by clicking here.

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