Vitamins?

[Dutchie]

I had posted this on the kitchen forum but realised that since this is a question that it should be put here - I hope that this isn't a problem.

This is something that I have always felt was very important since I feel that good/healthy food and enough vitamins is essential for good health especially in growing kids.
However fresh veggies and/or fruit are nearly always quite expensive especially if you adhere to government guidelines. Here in Holland they say 2 pieces/units of each fruit and veggies per day.

So - my question
How do you make sure that your family gets enough vitamins without resorting to supplements/vitamin pills etc. (I mean not only for the kids but also for your so/dh when applicable and yourself)?

How do you manage it, at the same time making sure that there is enough variation (important according to the experts) and how do you figure this into a frugal lifestyle?

Personally I think that no one will die if they don't eat fresh fruit or veggies every single day since it has been proven that canned/frozen are just as good.
I try to give everyone some fruit and/or veggie at each meal but it just sometimes doesn't happen.
It is easier in the summer since fresh produce is always more plentiful and is a LOT cheaper. I also try to make sure that everyone has at least one glass of OJ (either fresh or from a package) per day.

How do you do it?

[britbunny]

Hi,

I use alot of the typical frugal tips really, buy fresh fruit and veg when they are inexpensive and freeze them so we have a good supply of them all the time. Include plenty of beans and legumes in our diet so we know we're getting a good source of iron and other vitamins. I also look for different things that have multiple goodies in them - swapping white rice for brown and sweet potatoes for normal potatoes etc. We also make our own museli with chopped nuts, porridge oats, bran and dried fruit. A handful of dried fruit is one portion of fruit for the day and contain lots of different nutrients. Also eating certain foods together can help absorb vitamins and minerals better e.g eating vitamin c and iron rich foods together is great.

[mombottoo]

By adding veggies/fruits into other things (I put salsa in meatloaf) and by drinking V8 or a similar veggie juice product.

[frugalfranny]

Eat whatever fruits and veggies are in season.
The summer is great, the winter for this area leaves us with oranges and bananas unless you eat the dried fruit, which I do.
I also buy things now(broccoli, strawberries, etc.) when they get 'reasonable/cheap' and freeze them.