National Eat More Fruits and Vegetable day is May 26th. Diets containing a large variety of vegetables and fruits can have positive effects on overall health and well-being. Lower blood pressure, a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, prevention of some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and more balanced blood sugar are a few of the many positive outcomes from eating a well-balanced diet. One fruit or veggie cannot provide all the nutrients the body needs on its own, it is important to get a wide variety. There are at least nine different families of fruits and vegetables and each one offer a unique nutritional component.
As we enter the summer months, many favorite fruits and vegetables are back in season. Apricots, blueberries, cantaloupe, cherries, kiwi, mangoes, peaches, strawberries, and watermelon are all fresh and in season! For vegetables, you might be able to find local arugula, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, asparagus, and eggplant. While herbs are available all season, it is a great time of year to plant your own. Herbs coming into season now include chervil, chives, dill, green onions, mint, scallions, sorrel, and thyme.
Celebrate National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day by trying a new fruit or veggie.
Here are a few tips to eat more fruits and vegetables:
- Place fruit where you can see it
- Pre-chop celery, carrot, and bell peppers
- Explore and choose something new, try to get at least one serving from each of the following categories: dark green leafy vegetables; yellow or orange fruits and vegetables; red fruits and vegetables; legumes (beans) and peas; and citrus fruits
- Mix a lot of veggies and make it a meal! Try making salads, soups, or stir-fries to increase the number of tasty vegetables in your meals
If you don’t have time to prepare your own delicious fruits and veggies, Cuisine for Healing as always, has you covered! Stop by the lobby or order online and try our Veggie Hummus Wrap, Vegetable Curry, Spaghetti Squash with Pesto, or just a fruit cup. We love to add veggies to everything, even if you aren’t a veggie lover, we have something for you! Check out our Cuisine for Healing cookbook for ideas on how to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into the meals you already love.
Source: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/
