Oddbox saves ‘fruit and veg that won’t meet retailers’ strict cosmetic specifications’ (Image: www.oddbox.co.uk)We all know that eating the recommended intake of five fruit and vegetables a day is good for our immune system and overall health, but actually putting that into practice isn’t always as accessible as it seems. Especially when the cost-of-living crisis means these diet staples in our local supermarkets have gone more expensive. But one food subscription service, which aims to reduce waste of fresh produce, is helping people up their intake of fruit and veg by delivering a box of the stuff to their door – and the first is half price for new subscribers with code EATODD. This is perfect if you’re looking to give your health a bit of a boost and save some pennies at the same time. Oddbox essentially saves slightly odd-looking but fresh produce that would otherwise be deemed unfit for supermarket sale as they ‘won’t meet retailers’ strict cosmetic specifications’, and sells them in a cardboard box for a fraction of the price. Speaking about this on its website, founders Emilie and Deepak said: “It struck us that we only ever saw identical-looking fruit and veg in our supermarkets, so we did some digging and learnt that around 40% of food produced globally goes to waste. Why? Either because it’s ‘too odd’ or because growers have ‘too many’.” They added: “Since then, we’ve made it our mission to rescue that fruit and veg, at the same time making sure all the energy and water that went into growing it are put to good use.” You can choose from three boxes in varying sizes – a mixed fruit and veg box (price ranging from £11.49 to £22.49), a purely vegetable box (£11.99-£16.49) and a pure fruit box, £12.99 – all of which are seasonal (great for those who love smoothies).
‘The best thing about Oddbox for me is that it makes me think about forthcoming menus using ingredients I might not necessarily buy!I’
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Ensuring you get all the vitamins and nutrients into your diet is pretty beneficial and it’s made so easy with this delivery service. Foods that are rich in vitamin A (or beta-carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, antioxidants and other nutrients keep your immune system functioning at its best – think carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and apples. With Oddbox’s subscription service, the stress of choosing which fruit and vegetables which you will stock up your fridge is taken out of the equation, as it selects them at random based on what is already grown and going spare. According to the NHS, eating more fruit and vegetables “can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer”. It even says: “A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer.” Not to mention they’re a food group low in fat, oil and, most importantly tasty. In fact, one of OK!’s writers, Megan Davies, even tried eating purely fruit and veg for two weeks and the results were profound – with not only her skin and hair health, but symptoms of her autoimmune condition, Hashimotos Thyroiditis. From eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, she noticed a change in her energy, her mental health, her skin, nails and hair. “After the first week of my fruit and veg diet, my skin looked radiant and glowy, my hair looked shiny – even when I let it air dry! – and my nails are the smoothest they’ve ever been. I’ve not worn make-up since my detox because I want to show off my natural skin – I’m so proud of it,” she said. Plus, her period cramps subsided. Now, of course we’re not suggesting you start a 14-day cleanse or overhaul your diet to only eat fruit and veg, but it just goes to show how upping your fresh produce intake is imperative to being healthy on the inside and the outside. Although most of the fruit and veg included in Oddbox’s subscription service is based on what’s going to waste, subscribers will be privy to what’s inside the box before they receive it via a weekly email. This means they can opt out of certain items that they’ve already got at home or simply won’t be used. If you’re in need of inspiration for your meals too, included in the box is a low-waste recipe as well as an ingredient-led recipe generator online being accessible to users. Elsewhere, foodies are stocking up on local produce via organic subscriptions services like Abel & Co which provides organic seasonal fruit and veg to suit your needs – and prices start at £14.10. You can sign up to Oddbox and receive 50% off your first order with the code EATODD – see here.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterMore OnShoppingFood
