Fruit and vegetables are crucial for ensuring good health, both for adults and children, and should form the foundation of your diet. The NHS advises that you should eat five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, but you should eat as much as possible from this food group.
Although you are probably already aware of how important it is to include a good helping of fruits and veggies in your daily diet, this blog post will remind you why you should make it a point to do so.
Crucial Reasons Why Eating Fruit And Vegetables Is Important
1 - They Contain Phytochemicals
Fruits and vegetables are an easy and convenient way to consume phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are natural, plant-based compounds that possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemicals also have the ability to lower your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and cancer and can also lower your risk of developing diabetes.
Phytochemicals are also responsible for the bright colours of your fruits and veggies and are also responsible for the smells and flavours of these foods. Additional phytochemicals can be found in herbs and spices such as ginger and turmeric.
2 - They Can Help Control Blood Sugar Levels
If you suffer from diabetes, you should be careful to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels, and fruit and vegetables can help you to do just that. In general, these foods are very low in sugar. On the other hand, they are high in fibre and other nutrients, so they help you to stay fuller for longer. In addition, fibre and phytochemicals can help to prevent a build-up of fat around the abdomen and assist with weight loss.
3 - Boost Natural Energy
If you are looking for an alternative, healthy energy boost that is a little less sugary than a sugary drink, you should try eating a piece of fruit. Fruits can contain natural sugars, but they are usually balanced out by fibre, so your blood sugar levels stay stable.
4 - They Are Easy To Prepare
Fruits and vegetables are easy to prepare and take very little time, so you can add them to your diet in a number of ways. You can simply eat them raw and whole, as a side dish, or as a healthy dessert. You can also use them in recipes or consume them in a smoothie for added nutrition and a delicious, sweet taste. What's more, you can also enjoy these foods cooked, as long as you choose healthier options such as steaming, grilling, roasting, poaching, and stir-frying.
5 - Help with Weight Loss
The phrase "you are what you eat" may sound like a cliché, but it is true - if you eat unhealthy foods, you will feel sluggish, lethargic, and like you have no energy. If you eat healthy food, you will feel energised and full of life. Healthy food is a good alternative to junk food and can even help you to maintain a lean, healthy physique. Fruit and vegetables can help you to lose weight in a number of ways. Firstly, a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables can help you to boost your metabolism and burn more calories. Secondly, an abundance of fibres in fruit and vegetables will fill you up and
Most people know they should be eating more fruit and vegetables, but they struggle to find ways to do so. If you are one of those people, you should try to make a small adjustment to your diet. Simply add one or two pieces of fruit to your daily diet and make a conscious effort to do so for a week. By then, you will have begun the vital process of including more fruit and vegetables in your diet.
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