Recent changes in food guidelines have meant an increase in the
recommended daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. That is because
eating nutrient rich, low calorie, low fat foods such as fruits and
vegetables, has been shown to have a strong impact on overall health.
In addition, high levels of fruits and vegetables in the diet has
even been shown to help provide protection from a number of diseases
and chronic conditions. There are ongoing studies on the relationship
between a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and prevention of cancer,
diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. While there may not yet
be conclusive proof of a link between fruits and vegetables and lower
risk of disease, there is ample anecdotal evidence to suggest that a
healthy diet leads to a healthy body.
One reason for the strong health benefits of fruits and vegetables
is their strong antioxidant qualities. Many fruits and vegetables are
high in important antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A.
In addition, fruits and vegetables contain lots of other nutrients and
trace elements that are important to the proper function of the body.
Choosing the best fruits and vegetables is important, both to your health and the health of your food budget. We all have limited food budgets, and getting the best in terms of both taste and nutrition, is very important.
One way to get maximum value and maximum nutrition is to choose fresh,
in season fruits and vegetables. That is because fresh, locally grown
fruits and vegetables tend to be less expensive than their shipped
counterparts.
If you have a farmers market or produce stand nearby, it can be an
excellent source of the highest quality, lowest cost fruits and
vegetables. Summer produce stands are excellent sources of delicious
and nutritious fruits and vegetables.
In addition, buying fruits and vegetables as they come into season
will instantly provide you with variety. There are literally hundreds
of different varieties of fruits and vegetables at the average grocery
store, and they all have different growing season. Buying the fresh in
season fruits and vegetables is a great way to introduce yourself to
some varieties you may never have tried before.
Of course there will be times when your favorite fruits and
vegetables are not available locally. In those cases, frozen and canned
varieties can do just fine. Just about every popular fruit and
vegetable is available canned or frozen, and these can make wonderful,
fast fruit salads or quick snacks.
It is important to choose fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors,
and not only for ascetic reasons. Different colored fruits and
vegetables contain different types of nutrients, and different levels
of nutrients, so eating a good variety of green, gold, orange and
purple is the best way to ensure adequate levels of nutrition.
How you cook the vegetables you buy is important as well. Over cooking
can destroy many of the nutrients that make vegetables so healthy.
Fortunately, most vegetables can be cooked by quickly steaming them in
the microwave or on the stovetop.
How those cooked vegetables are served can also have a significant impact on their healthiness. Adding butter, margarine, oils or other fats to vegetables can quickly negate their health benefits. Better choices for seasoning cooked vegetables include fruit juices and low fat yogurt.
Most nutrition experts recommend that everyone eat from 5 to 9
servings of fruits or vegetables every day. While that may seem like an
impossible goal, it is easier when you understand just what a serving
consists of. One serving of a fruit or vegetable can be one medium
sized piece of fruit, one slice of melon, two small pieces of fruit,
one cup of strawberries, one cup of grapes, one half cup of canned
fruit, one half cup of fruit salad, one side salad or one half cup of
fresh fruit juice.
With all these choices to choose from, it is easy to see why fruits
and vegetables are such a popular part of a healthy diet. No matter
what your reason for pursuing healthy eating, fruits and vegetables are
a healthy addition to any diet.
recommended daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. That is because
eating nutrient rich, low calorie, low fat foods such as fruits and
vegetables, has been shown to have a strong impact on overall health.
In addition, high levels of fruits and vegetables in the diet has
even been shown to help provide protection from a number of diseases
and chronic conditions. There are ongoing studies on the relationship
between a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and prevention of cancer,
diabetes, heart disease and other conditions. While there may not yet
be conclusive proof of a link between fruits and vegetables and lower
risk of disease, there is ample anecdotal evidence to suggest that a
healthy diet leads to a healthy body.
One reason for the strong health benefits of fruits and vegetables
is their strong antioxidant qualities. Many fruits and vegetables are
high in important antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A.
In addition, fruits and vegetables contain lots of other nutrients and
trace elements that are important to the proper function of the body.
Choosing the best fruits and vegetables is important, both to your health and the health of your food budget. We all have limited food budgets, and getting the best in terms of both taste and nutrition, is very important.
One way to get maximum value and maximum nutrition is to choose fresh,
in season fruits and vegetables. That is because fresh, locally grown
fruits and vegetables tend to be less expensive than their shipped
counterparts.
If you have a farmers market or produce stand nearby, it can be an
excellent source of the highest quality, lowest cost fruits and
vegetables. Summer produce stands are excellent sources of delicious
and nutritious fruits and vegetables.
In addition, buying fruits and vegetables as they come into season
will instantly provide you with variety. There are literally hundreds
of different varieties of fruits and vegetables at the average grocery
store, and they all have different growing season. Buying the fresh in
season fruits and vegetables is a great way to introduce yourself to
some varieties you may never have tried before.
Of course there will be times when your favorite fruits and
vegetables are not available locally. In those cases, frozen and canned
varieties can do just fine. Just about every popular fruit and
vegetable is available canned or frozen, and these can make wonderful,
fast fruit salads or quick snacks.
It is important to choose fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors,
and not only for ascetic reasons. Different colored fruits and
vegetables contain different types of nutrients, and different levels
of nutrients, so eating a good variety of green, gold, orange and
purple is the best way to ensure adequate levels of nutrition.
How you cook the vegetables you buy is important as well. Over cooking
can destroy many of the nutrients that make vegetables so healthy.
Fortunately, most vegetables can be cooked by quickly steaming them in
the microwave or on the stovetop.
How those cooked vegetables are served can also have a significant impact on their healthiness. Adding butter, margarine, oils or other fats to vegetables can quickly negate their health benefits. Better choices for seasoning cooked vegetables include fruit juices and low fat yogurt.
Most nutrition experts recommend that everyone eat from 5 to 9
servings of fruits or vegetables every day. While that may seem like an
impossible goal, it is easier when you understand just what a serving
consists of. One serving of a fruit or vegetable can be one medium
sized piece of fruit, one slice of melon, two small pieces of fruit,
one cup of strawberries, one cup of grapes, one half cup of canned
fruit, one half cup of fruit salad, one side salad or one half cup of
fresh fruit juice.
With all these choices to choose from, it is easy to see why fruits
and vegetables are such a popular part of a healthy diet. No matter
what your reason for pursuing healthy eating, fruits and vegetables are
a healthy addition to any diet.
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