Healthy eating is a topic that is important to many people. We often hear that Americans are not eating a healthy diet. In recent decades our average weight has risen substantially while our fruit and vegetable consumption has decreased. One of the most important things we can do for our waistlines and our general health, is to increase our intake of fruits and vegetables daily. By incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes, you can do just that!



Fruits and vegetables help prevent diseases

Fruits and vegetables have many important vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. Studies have shown that people who eat greater amounts of fruits and vegetables have lower rates of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer. Choose vegetables in a wide range of colors to ensure that you get many of the important vitamins and minerals. The deeper the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more nutrients it contains. Choose the deeply colored sweet potatoes over white potatoes, for example.

Fruits and vegetables help with weight loss

Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake can be helpful in a weight loss program as well. The water and fiber content in fruits and vegetables helps you to feel fuller, quicker and they are often low in calories. The more of the right foods that you eat, the less room you will have for the unhealthy foods. As you eat more of the healthy foods, your appetite for them will increase as well. Remember that the fruits and vegetables are a substitute for the higher calorie foods, not in addition to them. If you only add fruits and vegetables to your current diet then you will be increasing your calorie intake, not reducing it.

Tips for adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet

Look for ways to increase the fruits and vegetables in dishes you already eat, and add extra fruits and vegetables to dishes that already include them. In the morning, try adding more vegetables to a morning omelet and more fruit to breakfasts cereals for example. Add extra vegetables to stir fry dishes and soups and decrease the rice and pasta. Buy pre-washed and cut vegetables and fruits in the produce section at the grocery store, to provide convenient alternatives to high-fat snack foods. If healthy alternatives are as convenient as the unhealthy snacks, you will be more likely to make wise choices.

Fill half your plate with fruit or vegetables at mealtime. Keep fresh fruit handy at home. Take small bags of cut fruit and a small container of vanilla yogurt for dipping or small bag of cut vegetables and a container of low calorie dip, to work as an mid-day snack. That should keep you away from the vending machine. You can also keep a variety of dried fruits in your desk drawer for snacking emergencies.

Getting kids to eat more fruits and vegetables

Many fast food restaurants are adding healthy alternatives to their menus. Order apple slices or a fruit bowls in place of French fries or a chicken fillet sandwich or wrap in place of a burger. Try the smoothie shop instead of the ice cream parlor for a healthier treat that also incorporates a serving of fruit.

Fruits and vegetables are necessary for a healthy diet. By incorporating more of them into your daily routine at home and at the office, you can do wonders for your general health and you can also shed a few pounds in the process.