Eating the right amount of fruits and vegetables as part of a low-fat, high fiber diet may lower your risk of serious problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
The amount of fruits and vegetables that is right for you depends on your age, gender, and physical activity level.
Fruit and vegetables are low in calories and nutrient-dense, which means they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Focus on eating the recommended daily amount of at least five servings of fruit and vegetables and it will naturally fill you up and help you cut back on unhealthy foods. A serving is half a cup of raw fruit or veg or a small apple or banana, for example. Most of us need to double the amount we currently eat.
To increase your intake:
➲Add antioxidant-rich berries to your favorite breakfast cereal
➲Eat a medley of sweet fruit—oranges, mangos, pineapple, grapes—for dessert
➲Swap your usual rice or pasta side dish for a colorful salad
➲Instead of eating processed snack foods, snack on vegetables such as carrots, snow peas, or cherry tomatoes along with a spicy hummus dip or peanut butter
How to make vegetables tasty
While plain salads and steamed veggies can quickly become bland, there are plenty of ways to add taste to your vegetable dishes.Add color. Not only do brighter, deeper colored vegetables contain higher concentrations of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—but they can vary the flavor and make meals more visually appealing. Add color using fresh or sundried tomatoes, glazed carrots or beets, roasted red cabbage wedges, yellow squash, or sweet, colorful peppers.
Liven up salad greens. Branch out beyond lettuce. Kale, arugula, spinach, mustard greens, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage are all packed with calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. To add flavor to your salad greens, try drizzling with olive oil, adding a spicy dressing, or sprinkling with almond slices, chickpeas, a little bacon, parmesan, or goat cheese.
Satisfy your sweet tooth. Naturally sweet vegetables—such as carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, yams, onions, bell peppers, and squash—add sweetness to your meals and reduce your cravings for added sugar. Add them to soups, stews, or pasta sauces for a satisfying sweet kick.
Cook green beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus in new ways. Instead of boiling or steaming these healthy sides, try grilling, roasting, or pan-frying them with chili flakes, garlic, shallots, mushrooms, or onion. Or marinate in tangy lemon or lime before cooking.
While a healthy diet is a cornerstone of good health, meeting that goal can be a challenge. That is why we are delighted to offer this blog to the public. Subscribe to this blog and find numerous, low-cost, easy-to-make recipes each day to keep your family healthy and happy!