More Fruits and Veggie's Please

Posted: January 15th, 2018

The most popular New Year's resolutions often focus on prioritizing health and wellness. Establishing the habit of eating healthy food can be a great way to achieve that goal. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased instances of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other health problems. Here are a few ways that eating more fruits and vegetables can promote your healthy living this new year.

Vitamins and Minerals

Many different vitamins and minerals are essential for your body to function. By eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, you are able to consume many of these elements in their natural and unprocessed state, which may be more readily absorbed by the body. Vitamins and minerals are often what gives these foods their bright colors, so try to eat as many shades of the rainbow as possible daily. 

Hydration

Making sure that you are properly hydrated is key to healthy living. The most common recommendation for fluid consumption is eight 8-oz glasses per day. If you find it difficult to drink that much water daily, eating more whole fruits and vegetables or drinking 100% fruit juice can be a great way to reach the target. Watermelon, peaches, grapefruit, celery, and spinach are just a few of the foods that help hydrate your body. Adding slices of fresh lemon, lime, cucumber or other fruits you like to a pitcher of plain water will add some flavor and may make drinking water more enjoyable. 

Fiber

Fiber is a necessary component of digestive health and wellness. Eating fiber-rich foods promotes regular bowel movements, which may help guard against certain types of cancer. Other benefits of dietary fiber include more stable blood sugar levels and weight loss. Many vegetables and fruits are great sources of fiber, especially when eaten unpeeled.