A Way To Better Health

A lot of emphasis is placed on eating fruits and vegetables to promote better health. In the coming days…weeks…months, I will be writing a lot about fruits and vegetables so keep reading my posts. This is one…or two…subjects I am very passionate about.

According to US government agencies, compared with people who consume a dietary plan with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful eating plan are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Fruits and vegetables, for the most part, are low in calories and fat, while providing a lot of nutrients and fiber. The USDA’s MyPyramid recommends 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables per day for a 2,000 calorie intake, with higher or lower amounts depending on the calorie level. Four and one-half cups is equivalent to nine servings a day…so depending on the calorie level, the amounts can range from 2 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups (5 to13 servings) of fruits and vegetables per day. The amounts you need depend on your age, sex, and physical activity (see MyPyramid.gov). When adding these to your daily eating plan, remember to eat a variety of different colors such as orange cantaloupe, carrots, and sweet potatoes; red strawberries and peppers; green spinach and broccoli; white cauliflower and beans; purple
plums; and yellow corn.

More on this later…