More than 75 percent of adults are not getting enough fruits and vegetables. And according to "Dole's Fruit and Vegetable Update: What America's Children are Eating," children are eating too many fats and sweets and only one half the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables. Here are a few more tips to increase the fruits, vegetables and fiber in the diet:

• Add chopped steamed or sauteed vegetables to plain rice
• Have dried fruit as a snack at work and at home
• Top ice cream, yogurt or cake with berries and bananas
• Serve raw vegetables when children are most hungry - when they come home from school

Help your child try different types of fruits and vegetables by focusing on their colors. The next time you and your child are at the grocery store, plan to spend a few minutes in the produce section. Talk about the colors you notice - the vegetables in dark green, light green, deep yellow, red, and white, and the yellow, red, green, purple, and orange fruits. Occasionally, plan a different color fruit and vegetable day. On Red Day, for example, eat strawberries, cherries, watermelon, tomatoes, radishes and beets! On Green Day, serve green beans, green peas, celery, green apples and green grapes.

 Everything that comes in contact with food must be kept clean to prevent foodborne illness. Listed below are steps we can take to help prevent foodborne illness by safely handling food in our home:

1. Always wash hands with hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly

• before handling food
• after handling food
• after using the bathroom
• after changing a diaper
• after caring for a sick person
• after blowing nose, sneezing or coughing
• after handling pets

3. Do not use the same platter and utensils that held the raw product to serve the cooked product. Any bacteria present in the raw meat can contaminate the safely cooked product.

4. When using a food thermometer, it is important to wash the probe after each use with hot, soapy water before reinserting it into a food.

5. Keep the refrigerator clean by wiping up spills immediately. Clean surfaces with hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Once a week, make it a habit to throw out perishable foods that should no longer be eaten.

........... Foods cooked with a little water retain their natural flavor and require less seasoning

........... Good food habits help children reach their maximum physical and mental development

Contact Susan Davis, Nutrition Education Coordinator - Food Services and Nutrition Education Department (860)522-4888 ext 4253 with questions or comments about the Fresh Beginnings Newsletter for Parents.