Despite winter, 'striving for 5' possible

DALLAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The produce section may be a bit skimpy, but it is still possible to "strive for five" servings of fruits and vegetables a day, a U.S. expert suggests.

Dr. Jo Ann Carson, a professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, says the solution lies in choosing as much fresh seasonal produce as possible and adding frozen and canned fruits and vegetables.

Frozen fruits and vegetables often contain nearly as many nutrients as fresh produce because they have been picked, frozen and packaged at their peak, Carson says. In fact, some canned vegetables, including pumpkin, provide more vitamins per serving than their fresh counterparts.

"The key, is to watch the sugar and sodium content, because canned produce can be higher in both," Carson says in a statement.

"A good principle is to look for fruit without added sugar or syrups and vegetables without extra butter, salt or cream sauces."