Wellness Tuesday: 9 Reasons Fruits and Vegetables are Important

honor God

 

 

We’ve all heard the importance of eating fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.  This is often hard to do and most Americans struggle with getting in the proper amount of fruit and vegetables daily.

However, what I’ve noticed is if I miss a day or two of eating fruits and vegetables my body can tell it.  I’m more sluggish, more prone to be tired and often also struggle with a headache.

So why are fruits and vegetables so important?

  1. Include nutrients our body needs such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, etc.
  2. May reduce risk of stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
  3. Contains Fiber
  4. Low in fat—so we can eat a lot of them for a lower caloric intake
  5. Omega 3s that help reduce anxiety and depression.
  6. Green leafy vegetables have magnesium that helps balance and reduce stress.
  7. Helps to reduce bloating20140611_153557767_iOS
  8. Provide hydration for the body and skin
  9. Help build healthy bones

 

Remember, brightly colored foods are better for you.  Vegetables such as potatoes, rice and corn are also considered a starch and should be eaten in moderation.

So how many servings should we have of fruits and vegetables?

The FDA says about 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  In layman terms they describe this as two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables a day.

How do you reach your goals?

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