Wellness Tuesday: 9 Reasons Fruits and Vegetables are Important
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?
- Include nutrients our body needs such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, etc.
- May reduce risk of stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Contains Fiber
- Low in fat—so we can eat a lot of them for a lower caloric intake
- Omega 3s that help reduce anxiety and depression.
- Green leafy vegetables have magnesium that helps balance and reduce stress.
- Helps to reduce bloating
- Provide hydration for the body and skin
- 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?