In honor of Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day , Vetri Community Partnership’s Community Dietitian, Tara Bledsoe MS, RDN, LDN, talked to us about us how we can eat more fruits and vegetables with nutrition addition!
Did you know that one of the most important things you can do for your health is to eat more fruits and vegetables? That’s why we are taking time today to celebrate and get the word out about Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day!
Our bodies use nutrients found in fruits and vegetables to help us live longer, healthier lives. Fruits and vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients that our bodies use to function and prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.
About 9 out of 10 Americans eat less than the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables per day. Also, many people are confused about how much is even recommended. A recent study from Harvard backs up the simple guideline of getting at least 5 servings per day – two servings of fruit plus three servings of vegetables.
Another reason to eat more fruits and vegetables is for their amazing flavor! Utilize the natural sweetness of fruit in breakfast foods such as pancakes to cut down on added sugar. Pack color and nutrients into a familiar meal by adding more veggies, like with this rainbow stir-fried noodles dish. Dessert can be a missed opportunity to add more fruits and vegetables to your day. VCP’s Chili Lime Fruit Salad is a perfect dessert option that balances fruity sweetness with spice. Whether you use fresh, frozen, canned, or dried, it’s a great idea to eat more fruits and vegetables!
