Why Eat Fruits and Vegetables?

We've all heard it before - we need to eat our fruits and vegetables. But why are they so essential to our diet? Research has shown that fruits and veggiees play a critical role in the promotion of good health. To find out why, continue reading this article. Throughout the article we will discuss what health benefits these types of food hold, what types you should be eating, and how many you need.

Let's begin with why fruits and vegetables are so essential to our health. They contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that are needed by our bodies to help prevent disease. For example, research suggests that eating a substantial amount of vegetables and fruit can reduce an individual's risk of heart disease by as much as 20-40%! Not only has research shown that eating your fruits and vegetables can prevent heart disease, it has also shown that it could prevent at least 20% of all cancer cases, especially in the cases of lung and stomach cancer. They can also reduce the risk of diverticulosis, stroke, hypertension, birth defects, cataracts, and asthma.

On top of preventing a wide range of diseases, eating a healthy proportion of fruits and vegetables can also aide in weight loss. They contain large portions of fiber, a substance that helps us to lose weight by making our stomachs feel full quickly.

What types of fruits and vegetables should you eat? All of them! Vegetables and fruit come in an array of colors, each color coming along with it's own health benefits. So, if you want to get a healthy variety, you will want to eat fruits and vegetables of all different colors. You may, for example, choose to eat a mixture of green spinach, orange sweet potatoes, and black beans one day. The next, you may choose yellow corn, red watermelon, and white onions. Choosing ones that range in color will provide your body with a wide range of healthy nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, potassium, and folate.

So, you know you have to eat them, but how many fruits and vegetables are necessary? According to dietary guidelines, an individual should eat somewhere between three and five portions each and every day. To increase your daily intake of vegetables, be sure to keep them in a place that is easily accessible and visible. If you can see them, you are more likely to eat them. Also, try to eat some with every meal. Fill up half of your plate with vegetables or fruits at every meal. If you really like fruit, you could even substitute fruit for your dessert!

In sum, fruits and vegetables contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When eating fruits and vegetables, try to eat an array of colors and eat at least three portions each day. Begin increasing your daily intake today and keep your body healthy!