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Fruits and Vegetables Make a Difference

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It's not news that many of us continue to consume fewer than two fruit and three vegetable servings each day. To help demonstrate the need to eat more fruits and vegetables, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently joined forces with the Produce for Better Health Foundation to launch the "Fruits & Veggies - More Matters" campaign.

Fruits and vegetables are not only extremely healthy for you, but they are a great asset when losing weight. When you eat more fruits and vegetables, your intake of higher calorie, less healthy foods tends to decrease. Broccoli in your pasta means that you will eat less pasta, and a piece of fruit can replace a cookie for a snack.

Eating more fruits and vegetables is easy when you integrate them into your daily food choices. Here are just a few suggestions:

  • Whether you pack a lunch for work or not, take fruits and vegetables to eat for healthy snacks.

  • Always keep a stock of frozen vegetables in the freezer to use for quick and easy side dishes, and in preparing main dishes.

  • When short on time, buy pre-cut fruits and vegetables and bagged salad to use for quick meals and healthy snacks.

  • When filling your plate, aim for 2/3 or more of vegetables, beans, whole grains and fruits; 1/3 or less of fish, lean poultry or lean cuts of red meat.

  • When eating out, substitute vegetables for higher-fat side dishes. You can also ask for extra vegetables to be added to your entree, and order a salad or side of fruit.

Make it your goal to eat more fruits and vegetables, and you'll find yourself eating fewer calories, improving your health, and losing weight.

Healthy regards,
Megan Porter, RD