Eating more fruit and vegetables is one of the most common changes that successful slimmers make to their diet, and many report that it is the single most important change they make.This is because fruit and vegetables can truly claim to be ’superfoods’ for anyone who is trying to lose weight.

The main reason for this is that most fruit and vegetables are bulky and watery, which means that they are low in energy density - in other words, they can provide a large and filling volume of food for relatively few calories.Many fruit and vegetables are also in high fibre, which is filling and helps maintain a feeling of fullness.In addition, many have a low glycaemic index (GI) rating, and this means that they release energy slowly into the bloodstream, which can help reduce the need to snack between meals.

People who eat lots of fruit and vegetables also tend to eat fewer fatty and sugary foods, which is a big help in controlling overall calorie intake and creating the energy deficit necessary for losing weight.For all these reasons, a healthy eating plan for weight loss can include generous amounts of most fruit and vegetables, with five portions a day as the minimum, as long as no fat or sugar is added in cooking or serving.