Even though there are many delicious fruits and vegetables available year-round and farmers’ markets are popping up in many cities and towns, Americans are still not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Fewer than 1 in 4 adults eat the recommended daily amount of fruits and fewer than 1 in 7 adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables. The U.S. federal dietary guidelines recommend that people eat between 1.5 and 2 cups of fruit per day, and 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day.
Eating fruits and vegetables has many health benefits. People who eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help lower their risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Eating healthy can also help prevent obesity and high blood pressure.
Here are some ideas to make sure your diet includes enough fruits and vegetables:
• Offer fruits and vegetables to children as better dietary practices earlier in life can lead to better practices later in life
• Make fruits and veggies easily attainable at home by placing a bowl of fresh fruit on your kitchen table or have celery and carrot sticks always available in the refrigerator
• Create a weekly dinner menu so you aren’t eating on the fly and can incorporate vegetables and fruits into every meal
• Plant a garden, which can be very rewarding and also help your budget
• Challenge one another by creating a weekly contest and offering a prize to whomever eats the most fruits and veggies
• Ask your company to make fruits and vegetables available at meetings or conferences
• Make it a priority to shop at your farmers’ market where you can buy fresh, local produce
By incorporating some of these ideas into your daily diet, you’ll become healthier and increase your fruits and vegetables intake − a win-win situation.
*Source: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, www.health.gov
*Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.healthfinder.gov
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov
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