more matters

06 Sep more matters

Because Mom Said So…

“You need to eat your veggies.” Fresh, frozen, baked, broiled, grilled, or steamed, moms all over the world are right – vegetables are important. In fact, they are so important that September is Fruits & Veggies – More Matters Month! Google it, it’s a real thing.

Did you know less than 10% of both adults and children eat the recommended amount of fruits and veggies servings per day (2 ½ cups per day based on a 2,000 calorie diet)? How do you fare?

According to the Harvard School of Public Health – Nutrition Source, “A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check. Eating non-starchy vegetables and fruits like apples, pears, and green leafy vegetables may even promote weight loss. Their low glycemic loads prevent blood sugar spikes that can increase hunger.”

Learn more about the power of prevention and weight management held by fruits and veggies. Additionally, read answers to common questions about fruits and veggies such as, “Is fruit bad for me because it contains sugar?”

Boost your intake of fruits and veggies with these four simple tips from Harvard’s nutrition source:

1.   Keep fruit where you can see it. Place several ready-to-eat washed whole fruits in a bowl or store chopped colorful fruits in a glass bowl in the refrigerator to tempt a sweet tooth.
2.   Explore the produce aisle and choose something new. Variety and color are key to a healthy diet. On most days, try to get at least one serving from each of the following categories: dark green leafy vegetables; yellow or orange fruits and vegetables; red fruits and vegetables; legumes (beans) and peas; and citrus fruits.
3.   Skip the potatoes. Choose other vegetables that are packed with different nutrients and more slowly digested carbohydrates.
4.   Make it a meal. Try cooking new recipes that include more vegetables. Salads, soups, and stir-fries are just a few ideas for increasing the number of tasty vegetables in your meals.

No one is perfect, but the more often we can follow the Healthy Eating Plate’s model of 50% vegetables, 25% carbs (the more whole grain/less processed the better), and 25% protein (both animal and plant) the better off we’ll be inside and out.