When it comes to strokes, understanding what you can do to reduce your risk can decrease your chances of having one.

Registered Dietician Jeanne Struve tells us that "If you look at the American Heart Association's website and look at all the risk factors for heart disease, lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke being a part of heart disease."

Jeanne says that a recent study has found that eating more than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can cut your risk of stroke. "When it comes to fruits and vegetable servings, the minimum recommendation is five servings a day, and remember, that's the minimum."

More than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day may sound like a lot, but you have to remember that 1 serving is just one small apple, half a cup of vegetables or only about 12 grapes. Mother of 3, Ramona Johnston says "Our favorite thing to do is the little market on Thursday mornings they have all fresh vegetables and fruits."

Jeanne also says that "The green, yellow, and red vegetables contain fitonutrients, so it's very important to eat a variety of vegetables, too. Dieticians are like your mom, we say, "you need to eat your veggies."

Bottom line is -mom was right. Eating a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables each day is an important part of a lifestyle that promotes overall good health.

One recent study indicated that if you consumed greater than 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day then your stroke risk could be reduced down by 26%.

But despite all the benefits that fruits and vegetables can offer, only one-fourth of U.S. adults eat the recommended servings of them every day.