Feature Articles: Food, Fitness and Eating Well
Reasons to eat more fruits and vegetables
Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., associate state specialist, curriculum & staff training coordinator, Family Nutrition Education Programs, Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
Not only do fruits and vegetables add a variety of flavors,
colors and textures to your meals and snacks, they also help
keep you healthy.
Fruits and vegetables are low in fat and sodium, and they
don’t have cholesterol. They also add fiber to your diet,
which fills you up and helps lower your cholesterol levels.
Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients like folic acid
and potassium. Folic acid helps reduce the risks of birth
defects during a baby’s development. Fruits like oranges and
bananas are high in potassium and help you maintain healthy
blood pressure.
The health benefits from eating fruits and vegetables may help you ward off heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables can also help you maintain your weight because they are low in calories. A diet packed with fruits and vegetables provides nutrients and helps fill you up while keeping your overall calorie intake low.
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Last update: Tuesday, May 05, 2009
