The National Fruit and Vegetable Program recently launched a campaign stressing the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. The initiative, dubbed “Fruits & Veggies – More Matters”, empathizes the nutritional value and long term health benefits of these products.
• Fruits and vegetable protect people from a variety of diseases including cancer and type 2 diabetes.
• An average adult should eat at least 1.5 cups of fruit each day.
• Fruits and vegetable can be incorporated in a variety of dishes, from breakfast foods, to snacking substitutes, to desserts.
The researchers used the project to inform people that regularly consuming their share of fruits and vegetables will make them less likely to develop a variety of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and macular degeneration.
Many recent studies have stressed the fact that Americans don’t consume nearly enough fruits and vegetables. And we’re not just talking about kids, but adults too. However doctors and nutritionists insist that the reason these foods are so good for our health is that they are not only rich in vitamins, but also fiber and antioxidants.
Experts on the matter recommend that adults eat about one and half (1.5) or two (2) cups of fruit per day, and three (3) cups of vegetables per day. Unfortunately, a survey from a couple of months ago has shown that only 13 percent (13%) of people living in the US consume the recommended amount of fruit, and only 9 percent (9%) of people living in the US consume the recommended amount of vegetables.
Due to these facts, Dr. Nina Radcliff offered some advice on how everyday people can maximize their fruit and vegetables intake.
First off, she says that we should never skip breakfast. Apparently the saying that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is true. A well balanced meal early in the morning has been shown to make people sharp, protect against heart disease, and fight off excess weight, lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes along the way.
Apples, berries and bananas are perfect for breakfast as they can easily be added to cereal, yogurt, smoothies and oatmeal, and not only improve their taste, but also fill our bodies with vitamins and nutrients.
If you’re the type who prefers sandwiches in the early hours of the day, adding tomatoes, lettuce, olives or mushrooms on top of ham and cheese is sure to delight you. Another thing to consider is adding onions to your omelet.
Now let’s talk about snacks. People sometimes snack throughout the day. Chips are usually a default for most of us as we enjoy their crispy, crunchy nature. Unfortunately they’re also some of the most unhealthy foods that anyone can consume – they’re rich in calories, salt and fat.
But Dr. Radcliff says that broccoli, celery, cucumbers and cauliflower stalks offer a similar crispy, crunchy sensation, with the added benefit of actually being good for your health. When you feel like munching down on something between meals, you may want to consider chopping some of these vegetables into bite sizes and eating them. They will fill your body with calcium, fiber and vitamin C.
And because people love desserts, here’s an idea – add apples, berries and cherries to your baked goods. They will keep their delicious taste, but the added fruit will also compensate for the butter and sugar.
Image Source: pixabay.com
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