Importance Of Eating Fruit & Vegetables

Grocery store shelves and many restaurants are filled with processed foods with preservatives, sugar, fats, and additives. The effect this type of diet can contribute to chronic health issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other metabolic diseases. To avoid being a statistic, you can start bringing your diet more in line with nature, and that means eating more fruits and vegetables.
Here are the top 10 reasons that’s a great idea!

1. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals. You won’t find a better nutritional source than fruits and veggies, which are packed with vitamins A, C and E, as well as magnesium, zinc, phosphorous and folic acid. For potassium, one of the most important minerals for your health.

2. Enjoy a variety of flavors and textures. With all their unique and interesting flavors, plant-based foods let you get creative in the kitchen. You can try strong flavors like onions, garlic and peppers, or milder options such as mushrooms and corn, or sweet flavors, fruits like pineapple, grapes or plums are great, while lemons are more sour.

3. Lots and lots of fiber. Most fruits and vegetables have plenty of fiber to fill you up and boost gut health, but some have more than others. Fiber-rich vegetables include artichokes, green beans, broccoli and cauliflower and some high-fiber fruits include raspberries, pears, and apples.

4. They’re low-calorie and low-fat. On average, fruits and especially vegetables are very low in calories and fat, which means you can eat more to keep you feeling full without worrying about extra calories or fat.

5. Protect against cancer and other chronic diseases. Many vegetables and fruits contain phytochemicals, which are biologically active substances that can help protect against some diseases. That means you can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer by adding them into your diet.

6. Fruits and vegetables help you maintain good health. Because they’re low in saturated fat, salt and sugar, fruits and vegetables are part of a well-balanced diet that can help you lose weight or prevent weight gain. Plus, they can help you decrease inflammation, and lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

7. Low in sodium and cholesterol. Fresh fruits and veggies contain only trace amounts of sodium and cholesterol doesn’t exist in fruits and veggies at all.

8. Fresh, frozen, canned, dried – they’re ALL nutritious. While eating fresh fruits and vegetables taste much better than frozen and canned products, but can work in a pinch.

9. Convenient, quick and easy. Unlike granola bars or crackers, many fruits and vegetables don’t need any packaging. So you can easily grab a banana or an apple as you’re heading out the door.

10. SMOOTHIES! If you have a blender, all you need is fruit and ice to whip up a delicious smoothie using all of your favorite flavors.

Enjoying fruits and vegetables is a great way to improve your health and actually enjoy what you eat. While it may take a little creativity, effort and an open mind to try new things, switching to a diet with more fruits and veggies is definitely worth it!