Veg Out!

September 28- November 8, 2009
Cost: 15 Wellness Dollars

Fall is a great time to focus your personal health goals. The abundance of seasonal fruits and vegetables makes it easier to commit to a healthier you! "Veg Out!" is a simple wellness campaign that encourages you to eat more fruits and vegetables. This six-week program gives you time to establish healthy habits that you can continue right through the busy holiday season.

Everyone can benefit from participating in "Veg Out!". A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. To get the amount that's recommended, most people need to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day.

Veg Out! Kickoff Event- Friday, Sept. 25th 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Get fired up about eating healthy! Drop by the free kickoff fair on Friday, September 25th Mentor's Circle (between the Morris Library and Hullihen Hall) from 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Visit booths and learn more about the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables from UD and community organizations. There will be a variety of fresh local produce available for sale. Pick up some informational handouts and fun giveaways. This event is free to the University community.

Vendors include:

• Cooperative Extension Service
• Healthy Hens
• Healthy U Employee Wellness Program
• Milburn Orchards
• New Castle County Cooperative Extension
• Newark Natural Foods
• U.D. Animal and Food Science
• U.D. Dining Services
• U.D. Garden for the Community
• U.D. Master Gardeners
• U.D. Nutrition Club
• Wellspring- Student Wellness Program

HOW: Here's how you'll participate in "Veg Out!":

Participate on your own or form a team of co-workers. Either way, you'll record your daily progress on a log that will be sent to you. Fruits and veggies are quick and convenient foods that you can enjoy anytime. Most of us need to eat more of them, so for this program, we're challenging you to do just that!

Simply eat at least the number of cups suggested for each week. The number of cups you'll be asked to eat each day will gradually increase as the weeks go by, as follows:

Weeks 1-2: Eat at least 1 cup of fruits and/or veggies a day on at least 5 days/week
Weeks 3-4: Eat at least 2 cups of fruits and/or veggies a day on at least 5 days/week
Weeks 5-6: Eat at least 3 cups of fruits and/or veggies a day on at least 5 days/week

That's not as much as it seems! The following items count as 1 cup: 1 small apple, 2 stalks celery, 1 large banana, 12 baby carrots, etc. We will give you plenty of ideas on how to meet the daily goal!

WHAT: Here's what you'll receive during the program:

Activity Log
You'll receive a log in campus mail on which you can record the number of cups of fruits and/or vegetables you eat each day. Return your log at the end of the program for a chance to win a grand prize.

On-the-go "cold" lunch box
All registrants will receive a handy 3-cup capacity food storage container at the beginning of the program. This container has a gel-filled top that can be frozen before filling and keeps food cold for 5 hours. Perfect for bringing your favorite salad or cut up fruit snack to work!

Weekly Tips
You'll receive weekly email tips highlighting interesting information about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, easy ways to eat more and some great recipes for you to try.

Online resources
You'll have access to online articles that we've assembled from the best websites about eating more fruits and vegetables. We'll give you ideas on how best to shop, store and prepare fruits and veggies for enjoying at home and work, links to local growers, etc.

Weekly trivia contest
Each week we'll pose a trivia question about the topic presented in the weekly tips. All participants may submit their answers for a chance to win a prize!

Grand Prize
Meet the goal and return your log by November 13 for a chance to win one of 2 healthy gift baskets stuffed with great gadgets and tools for make eating fruits and veggies easy.

TEAM OPTION: Encourage your co-workers to be healthy!

Form a team of 3-5 employees (including yourself). Choose a name for your team and a team captain. Each week, team members report their progress to their captain, who submits the team's total to the Healthy U office. Teams who reach the weekly goal are placed in a drawing for a weekly team prize. Participants must register as individuals first, then form a team. Form a team!

Register for this program

NOTE: Members of the Wellness PLUS program are automatically registered for this program.