Eating five different portions of fruit and vegetable a day may seem like a real challenge - but it doesn't have to be. As a start, identify as many fruits and vegetables - fresh, frozen or canned - that you like and can afford. Then decide at which times of the day you would enjoy them most. Here is an example of how five portions may be achieved:

Breakfast 1 portion

A glass of fruit juice or a heaped tablespoon of dried fruit or medium banana added to your cereal.

Snacks 1 portion

A medium sized apple or banana or small bunch of grapes or other fruit.

Lunch 1 portion

Tomato and lettuce in a sandwich or three tablespoons baked beans on toast.

Main meal 2 portions

Choose 2 of the following - frozen/canned peas, fresh carrots, canned sweetcorn, seasonal vegetables of your choice, a piece of fresh fruit, a serving of canned fruit in natural juice or serving of stewed fresh or dried fruit. About 3 tablespoons would be an average portion of vegetables:

Information obtained from Age Concern Factsheet 45 'Staying Healthy Later in Life' November 2005.www.ageconcern.co.uk