Health gem

IF YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK:Eat more raw fruit and veg

WE ALL know the drill about eating more fruit and vegetables, and that the type that’s not overcooked, baked in cheese sauce, encased in pastry or smothered in custard is best for our health.

But introducing more raw fruit and vegetables into your diet doesn’t have to be too much of a chore if you are a little crafty about it.

For breakfast, chop some fruit or sprinkle berries on breakfast cereal. Or drink part of your “five a day” instead – good juicers are readily available and not all are pricey. Go for fresh orange juice, or if you are feeling adventurous, juice a base of carrot and apple and then experiment by adding other fruits or veg.

At lunch add salad leaves to your sandwich, or at dinner, don’t just use salad as a garnish, put it centre stage, or at least give it equal billing with the other foods. Chopped fruit and veg or cherry tomatoes also make handy snacks during the day.

– CLAIRE O’CONNELL