| Everyone agrees on the importance of eating | | | | vitamin C, oranges, grapefruits and other citrus |
| more fruits and vegetables, but not enough | | | | fruits also contain significant amounts of fiber. |
| people are following this important advice. Dietary | | | | Fiber plays an important role in digestion, and it is |
| experts recommend that every person should | | | | thought to have protective qualities against heart |
| eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables | | | | disease and some forms of cancer. In addition, |
| every day. Increasing your consumption of fruits | | | | fiber is thought to have the ability to lower high |
| and vegetables is one of the easiest changes you | | | | levels of cholesterol in the blood. |
| can make to increase your level of health, lose | | | | Another great feature of fruits and vegetables, |
| weight and gain fitness. | | | | especially to those watching their weight, is the |
| The latest food guidelines recommend that adults | | | | high nutrition, low fat, and low calorie nature of |
| eat from five to nine servings of fruits and | | | | these foods. Fruits and vegetables contain very |
| vegetables every day. While that may seem like | | | | low levels of fats, and a diet low in fat can be |
| a lot, it is an important goal to strive for, and a | | | | quite effective for long-term weight loss. In |
| very reachable one. | | | | addition, fruits and vegetables contain no |
| A serving of a fruit or vegetable is equal to: | | | | cholesterol, and they are lower in calories than |
| 1. 1 medium sized vegetable or fruit (such as an | | | | many other types of foods. |
| apple, orange or banana) | | | | Fruits and vegetables have a lot of advantages |
| 2. 2 small fruits (such as kiwi fruit or plums) | | | | besides just their nutritional importance. For one |
| 3. ½ cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruits or | | | | thing, they taste great and add a great deal of |
| vegetables | | | | variety to everyday meals. Fruits and vegetables |
| 4. ½ cup of 100% fruit juice | | | | come in such a wide variety of colors, textures |
| 5. ¼ cup of dried fruit | | | | and flavors that they can be used in virtually |
| 6. 1 cup of green salad | | | | every meal. Those seeking to maximize their |
| Study after study has shown that a diet rich in | | | | consumption of fruits and vegetables should get |
| fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of certain | | | | into the habit of using fruits in salads, as toppings |
| cancers, heart disease and other chronic diseases | | | | and as garnishes. |
| and conditions. One reason for the | | | | No matter what your reason for following a |
| recommendation that everyone increase their | | | | healthy diet, we believe you will find that eating |
| consumption of fruits and vegetables is that many | | | | more fruits and vegetables is a delicious, as well |
| of these foods have been shown to have strong | | | | as a nutritious, way to get the vitamins and |
| antioxidant qualities. | | | | minerals you need every day. |
| Many fruits and vegetables have high amounts of | | | | I hope that reading the above information was |
| many antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin A, | | | | both enjoyable and educational for you. When |
| vitamin E and vitamin C. In addition to their | | | | word gets around about your command of |
| importance as source of vitamins and minerals, | | | | healthy diet facts, others who need to know |
| fruits and vegetables also provide essential dietary | | | | about fruits and vegetables will start to actively |
| fiber. | | | | seek you out. |
| Many people do not realize, that in addition to | | | | |