Fruits and Veggies Matter!

September and the beginning of a new school year seems like an appropriate time for Fruits & Veggies — More Matters™ Month.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has joined with public and private organizations to remind consumers that fruits and vegetables promote better health. It is estimated that ninety percent of Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. We can do better than that!

Benefits of Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are important to overall health, adding essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. People who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthy diet tend to have lower rates of diseases such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
Fruits and veggies are naturally low in calories.
Consuming fruits and veggies satisfies hunger and helps stave off those cravings for empty calories.
There’s nothing quite like biting into a fresh, crisp piece of fruit or a grilled, lightly seasoned vegetable. You just can’t beat it!
With fruits and veggies as part of your daily meal plan, you will have increased energy. Seriously, you’ll feel a whole lot better.
The National Fruit & Vegetable Program says that all fresh, frozen, dried, or canned fruits and vegetables and 100 percent juice products are acceptable — as long as you make sure there are no added sugars, syrups, salt, butter, or cream sauces.

Recommended Daily Dose
We’re all different and so are our dietary needs, depending on our health status, age, and other factors. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends a range from two to six and one-half cups per day. There’s no need to stress out about amounts or make things more complicated than they need to be; simply making fruits and vegetables the focal point of every meal will help you meet your recommended amount each day.

Dietary Supplements and Fortified Food
There are many fortified foods and dietary supplements on the market that can help, but nothing gives the full benefits like fresh fruits and vegetables. Even if you do take supplements, it is still recommended that you meet your nutritional needs primarily through foods.

Next: How to Get the Kiddies into Fruits and Veggies

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Read more: Basics, Children, Diet & Nutrition, Eating for Health, Family, Food, General Health, Health, dietary suplements, farmers market, fortified foods, Fruits and Veggies More Matters

Nita O.

1:08PM PDT on Aug 23, 2011

thanks

send a green star

Michelle R.

1:06PM PST on Nov 17, 2010

HarryM take Beano

Harry M.

8:59AM PDT on Oct 19, 2010

Petra Luna, I've been trying that, but I notice that eating a vegetarian diet also produces much gas. How do you prevent bloating and gas issues?

1:15PM PDT on Oct 3, 2010

Thanks

Edwin K.

7:07AM PDT on Sep 14, 2010

Fresh fruits and vegetables ideally should be on every family's daily menu.
However, many people prefer to eat convenience foods.
They simply do not include vegetables in their diet due to one reason or another.

That is why taking supplements is important.
Like it or not, dietary supplements provide convenience for people on the go.

Fruit and vegetable supplements can provide you with antioxidants and phytochemicals which strengthen your immune system.