7 advantages of fruits and vegetables
Eating more fruits and vegetables has always been recommended - and for good reason. Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet. That's why fruits and vegetables should make up half of your plate. But there are more reasons to eat green vegetables than you might think.
Some of the most important benefits of eating fruits and vegetables are as follows:
1. they are rich in nutrients
For most of us, this is probably the first benefit that comes to mind: fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help you get the nutrients your body needs - including vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, folate and potassium. Different fruits and vegetables are especially nutrient-dense for different reasons. In other words, fill your plate with a colorful mix of fruits and vegetables to make sure you're eating the widest variety of nutrients possible.
2. they can benefit heart health
Fruits and vegetables provide the nutrients you need to boost your overall health - and especially the health of your cardiovascular system.
3. they are good for your skin
Antioxidants, like vitamin C, can play an important role in skin care. While they're found in many skin care products, it's also helpful to get them in your diet - and that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
4. They increase the absorption of dietary fiber
Fruits and vegetables provide fiber, which supports a healthy gut. This is not only because fiber helps food move through the body, but also because it feeds the good bacteria in our microbiome. Fiber also makes us feel fuller, which can help with weight management. Be sure to increase your fiber intake gradually. Increasing too quickly can be challenging for your system. This is especially true if you overdo it with certain vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
5. you can curb refined carbohydrates
A great benefit of vegetables is that they can replace refined carbohydrates in your favorite recipes, helping you lower your calorie intake. If you're craving pasta, you can use spaghetti or zucchini noodles instead.
6. They can help with weight loss
Eating more fruits and vegetables can help with weight loss or maintenance. Fruits and vegetables make you feel full thanks to their fiber and water content. Make sure you eat fruits and vegetables instead of high-calorie, processed foods.
7. they are delicious
There are so many tasty ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. Even if you're not a vegetable fan, there are so many creative ways to cook vegetables and incorporate them into all of your meals.
More information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
