Tip of the day Happy Saturday TN-Netters! This is another Tip of the day for you this week and we would be stressing on the importance of fruits and vegetables in your diet. As you can see, we have been making several posts on being health thrifty for the festive season, acknowledging that this is the time we would tend to overindulge in all those goodies and not so healthy beverages for the holidays. Yes, arent we all guilty as charge! But without further a due, we will be briefly outlining the importance of adding a little fruits and/or vegetables on that holiday plate. So, have you been overlooking that Cole slaw for that yummy macaroni pie? Or that colorful fruit salad for all that meat? Well think again, because what youre really doing is passing up on essentials for your diet that will help you watch your weight and would be most beneficial to your body, than all those carbs and proteins (still not implying that they are too bad for you). But by now, we can say that at this point we are well informed on the importance of having a balanced diet, with fruits and vegetables critical for such. So here are some benefits of fruits and veges: Health Benefits Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke. Eating a diet rich in some vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may protect against certain types of cancers. Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as some vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Eating vegetables and fruits rich in potassium as part of an overall healthy diet may lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss. Eating foods such as vegetables that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake. Nutrients Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories. None have cholesterol. (Sauces or seasonings may add fat, calories, or cholesterol.) Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C. Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Vegetable sources of potassium include sweet potatoes, white potatoes, white beans, tomato products (paste, sauce, and juice), beet greens, soybeans, lima beans, spinach, lentils, and kidney beans. Dietary fiber from vegetables, as part of an overall healthy diet, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Fiber is important for proper bowel function. It helps reduce constipation and diverticulosis. Fiber-containing foods such as vegetables help provide a feeling of fullness with fewer calories. Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant should consume adequate folate from foods, and in addition 400 mcg of synthetic folic acid from fortified foods or supplements. This reduces the risk of neural tube defects, spina bifida, and anencephaly during fetal development. Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections. Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Vitamin C aids in iron absorption. SOURCE: { choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/vegetables-why.html }
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 17:25:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015