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Five Servings of Fruit a Day, So the Experts Say

By: Rosa Ells


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When making a resolution, you may want to think about one that could immediately increase your energy level and reduce your long-term risks of heart disease and cancer. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet will be helpful in achieving your goals. Right now the nation's attention is focused on low-fat eating plans, but consuming low-fat or fat-free foods, like cookies or other processed foods, is not the same as consuming foods that are naturally low in fat, such as veggies, whole grains, and fruits.

Even after countless commercials and ads for years advocating for eating a full 5 servings of fruits and veggies per day, most people still tend to acquire only 2/3 of this recommendation (only 3.4 servings). Current cancer prevention research (from 228 different studies) shows that increased intake of vegetables and fruit can significantly reduce your chances of getting many forms of cancer Pancreatic, intestinal, uterine, mouth, lung, esophogeal, and stomach cancers are greatly diminished with the increased intake of fruits and vegetables.

Some of the key cancer fighters are only found in food form, so those who try to supplement with vitamins may be missing out on the cancer preventing benefits. Supplements lack the natural plant substances and dietary fiber found in food, but also important in reducing cancer risk are nutrients with antioxidant power like vitamins C and E and beta carotene. These key ingredients keep the body's DNA working to fight off cancer cells, keep it from growing, and keep other body functions such as hormones in check to prvent abnormal cell workings.

There are many other health benefits to increasing vegetable and fruit consumption. The control of intestinal function and blood cholesterol is positively influenced by hearty servings of fruits and veetables, which also provide the dietary fiber needed to help control diabetes. Cataracts may be reduced by the antioxidants provided, and the potassium found in the fruits and vegetables may help reduce, control and even prevent high blood pressure. Individuals concerned with weight management, will find that fruits and vegetables provide an enjoyable, low calorie, low fat, source of energy.

Too many individuals believe that as long as they eat two rations of fruit or vegetables daily, which is equal to no more than one cup, they will be able to maintain a healthy and nutritious lifestyle. We are constantly learning more about the role that fruits and vegetables play in our diets, and through this education, we have come to know that one or two servings per day, is not adequate. Our diets need us to make fruits and vegetables an integral part.

To see where you stand, first figure out the number of half-cup servings of vegetables and fruits you typically eat in a normal day. For fresh, uncooked leafy-green vegetables, add a full cup as your serving size. You will quickly realize it if you are eating less than the five servings and you should achieve the goal of five servings by increasing what you eat by one serving a week.

It's not that hard to do if you just add some fruits or vegetables to your menu at every meal. Try to eat a minimum of 1 cup of veggies or fruits at each meal. If you just don't have the appetite for so much food, try reducing your servings of grains and portions of meat to make more room. You can also switch your snacks out and replace low fat, empty calories with more vegetables and fruits.

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