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Eat Healthy
The Big Deal about Fruits and Vegetables
Eat more fruits and vegetables. We've all heard it, but what's the big deal? Why do we need more fruits and vegetables?
Fruit and vegetables contain water, vitamins and minerals, important nutrients that your body needs everyday. Most fruits and vegetables also contain powerful disease fighting substances such as fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals that can help reduce your risk of certain illness. Furthermore, we get all this goodness for relatively few calories.
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Simply put, fruit and vegetables are good for your health. A diet high in fruits and vegetables can help:
- Lower your risk for cancer
- Decrease risk of heart disease
- Boost the immune system
- Keep you regular
- Eliminate excess cholesterol from the body
- Manage your weight
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Based on the goodness of fruits and vegetables, the USDA recommends adults eat 2 cups of fruit and 2 ˝ cups of vegetables per day. Learn what else the USDA recommends for a healthy diet and lifestyle.
What's in a serving…
- One medium-size fruit
- 1/2 cup raw, cooked, frozen or canned fruits (in 100% juice) or vegetables
- 3/4 cup (6 oz.) 100% fruit or vegetable juice
- 1/2 cup cooked, canned or frozen legumes (beans and peas)
- 1 cup raw, leafy vegetables
- 1/4 cup dried fruit
Did you know?
Calories found in beverages count the same as those found in food. And these liquid calories can really add up. In fact, a specialty coffee drinks such as a mocha latte can have as many as 500 calories for a large serving, about a fourth of your total calorie needs for the day. It's OK to enjoy your favorite beverages, but you may want to choose smaller sizes or go for lighter versions if you're watching your weight.
