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| Barbara Freda models the ‘5-a-Day’ T-shirt she won in the raffle. |
4:40 p.m., Nov. 1, 2002--The benefits of eating five or more fruits and vegetables per day are numerous—reduced risk of cancer, obesity, premature heart attack, stroke and diabetes; a strengthened immune system and a delayed onset of some of the signs of aging. Fruits and vegetables contain fiber and are full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Despite these benefits, many people have difficulty eating the recommended five or more servings per day of fruits and vegetables. A recent study from the Delaware Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System reveals that 77.5 percent of adult Delawareans fail to consume the recommended daily allowances.
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| Claire Northam received a fruit basket from Milburn Orchards. |
Concern for these figures prompted UD’s Employee Wellness Center to conduct a free awareness program for employees during National Five-a-Day week in September, when Americans were encouraged to eat at least five servings of fruits and/or vegetables for five days. More than 175 UD employees signed on to meet the challenge.
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| Geanine Botteone (left) presents a fruit basket from Milburn Orchards to Karen Cline. |
According to Wellness Center director Marianne Carter, challenge participants received a packet of information about the health benefits of produce, what counts as a serving, recipe ideas and a log to record their intake of fruits and vegetables. Those who returned their logs were entered into a random drawing for prizes, which included a fruit basket from Main Street Florist, apples from Milburn Orchard, a 5-a-Day T-shirt and a fruit bouquet from Incredibly Edible Delites.
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| Mildred Wall (left), won a gift certificate from Incredibly Edible Delites, while Gwen Cale received a fruit basket from Main Street Florists. |
“What we tried to do is give employees an opportunity to ‘practice’ consuming five-or-more [servings] per day,” Carter said, “Many people were unaware of what a serving size was and learned quickly that it doesn’t require as much effort as they thought to meet the minimum requirement. Fruits and vegetables can be quick and easy to prepare, and taste great.”
Winners of the drawing were: Karen Cline, Housing Assignment Services; Barbara Freda, business administration; Mildred Wall and Gwen Cale, facilities; and Claire Northam, Budget Office.
Article by Jeanine McGann
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