Veggies + Variety = Vitality
9 Servings A Day
The new food guidelines issued by the United States government recommend that all Americans eat between five and nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Did your eyeballs bulge out of your sockets? I know mine did!! When you first hear that number, it can be overwhelming. It was definitely crushing to our kids when we announced there would be more veggies and fruits on a daily basis (yay!), but it is actually much easier than you think to fit that many servings of fruits and vegetables into your diet (and that of those you love) day to day. The shelves of the grocery stores are bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, vegetables and fruits are some of the least expensive, most nutrient rich foods in the supermarket. And with so many different fruits and vegetables to choose from, it is simple to make these nutritious, delicious foods part of your daily meals and snacks.
Just How Big is A Serving?
When you take into account how much a serving really is, getting that five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day becomes a lot less daunting. For instance, the recommended daily amount actually equates to a reasonable two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables every day. When you consider how many fruits and vegetables are available, and how low the prices usually are, it makes it easier to reach this daily goal. Especially when you consider the cost (financially and otherwise) of processed foods.
Choose Variety over Boredom
One great way to get the nutrients you need from fruits and vegetables every day is to take full advantage of the variety of the foods available. Eating the same thing every day quickly becomes boring, so why not pick a variety of fruits and vegetables, in every color of the rainbow and in every conceivable shape, size and texture, to give yourself a diverse diet every day.
When shopping for fruits and vegetables, it is important to choose a variety of different colors. This is for more than purely artistic reasons. Different color fruits and vegetables have different types of nutrients; and choosing a variety of colors will help ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need each and every day.
What to Do With All That Fruit
Finding new recipes is another great way to ensure you get those five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Everyone likes to try out new recipes, and these new recipes may just provide the impetus you need to eat all those fruits and veggies.
New recipes can also provide you the important opportunity to try out some fruits and vegetables you have never tried before. For instance, everyone has eaten oranges, but have you tried kiwi fruit or mangoes or pomegranate? How about spinach or kale? Trying new things is a great way to find new favorites while getting the best nutrition available.
Fruits and Veggies Matter
Many people mistakenly think that they do not need to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day if they just do everything else “right” – exercise, stress less, sleep more, quit smoking, etc. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. That is because fruits and vegetables contain micronutrients that are vital to the overall wellbeing of our bodies, brains and the immune system.
So don’t forget to get your five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day for a healthier you. It may seem like a lot, but you can meet this goal simply by including fruits and vegetables as snacks, garnishes, as side dishes and as meals. Your immune system and your body overall, will thank you. You’ll look better and most importantly, you’ll feel better.
We also understand that sometimes your busy, borderline hectic lifestyle makes it challenging to eat “right” to maintain a healthy body and immune response.
If this sounds like you, follow this link to discover a way to boost your immune system naturally.
Cheers to your health!