Mama always said – eat your veggies! And, of course, she was right! Eating more fresh vegetables is one of the simplest choices you can make to improve your overall health. A nutrition plan high in fruits, vegetables, and legumes can help protect you from heart disease, stroke, cancer, cognitive decline, arthritis, and digestive disorders. Additionally, some of the metabolic functions of eating a healthy diet full of nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables can even help slow down your body’s aging process.
A recent study found that people who consume seven or more portions of vegetables and fruit a day have a 42 percent lower risk of dying from any cause, compared to those who eat less than one portion—and vegetables are top on the list!
These nutrient-dense foods can also help you lose weight (and maintain a healthy weight). These power-packed foods help to regulate your blood glucose and insulin levels, and that will keep you from feeling hungry – and the dreaded “hangry” as often. Add in the digestive effects of the added fiber and you have a true win-win!
There is no single vegetable or fruit that has all of the benefits you need to promote optimal health, so eat a variety of colorful fruits and veggies. Think dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, and eat the rainbow when it comes to other fruits and vegetables. Adding a variety of these foods can also help promote a healthy gut microbiome which is crucial to achieving both a healthy weight and optimal health.
If you don’t want to listen to mom (and why in the world wouldn’t you want to listen to mom – you know she’s always right), you can read an article from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to make you a true veggie fan! If you don’t want to read the article, don’t worry – just eat your veggies for heaven’s sake!