Why Eat Fruits and Vegetables?

from Leader Tammy

Fruits and Vegetables aid in Weight Management.
Fruits and vegetables come in every color of the rainbow, but their real beauty lies in what's inside. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of many vitamins, minerals and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases. People who eat more generous amounts of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.

To get a healthy variety, think color. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Some examples include green spinach and grapes, orange sweet potatoes and oranges, yellow corn and bananas, purple plums and onions, red tomatoes and watermelon. Look for more variety, try something new regularly.

How can Fruits and Vegetables help you manage your weight?
Substituting fruits and vegetables for higher-calorie foods can be an important part of your weight loss strategy. Fruits and vegetables are a natural source of energy and gives your body many nutrients you need to keep going. Make them part of your healthy eating plan. There are many different ways to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Using more fruits and vegetables along with whole grains, dairy and lean meats is a safe and healthy way. The Good Healthy Guidelines are an important part of your plan for good health.

To lose weight, you must eat fewer calories than your body uses.
This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to eat less food. You can create lower-calorie versions of some of your favorite dishes by substituting low-calorie fruits and vegetables in place of higher-calorie ingredients. The water and fiber in fruits and vegetables will add volume to your dishes, so you can eat the same amount of food for fewer points. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are filling.