Why Veggies are Important

​Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that contribute to overall good health. They may even help prevent chronic diseases. Those who eat more fruits and vegetables, as part of a healthy diet, are likely to have a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, as well as certain cancers, compared to those who consume a diet with few fruits and vegetables.

The Colors of Health​​​

Fruits and vegetables come in terrific colors and flavors, however, their real beauty lies inside. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of many vitamins, minerals and nutrients that may prevent chronic diseases. To get a healthy variety, think color. Some examples include green spinach, orange sweet potatoes, black beans, yellow corn, purple plums, red watermelon, and white onions. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, such as fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. For more variety, try new fruits and vegetables regularly.

​How Veggies Can Protect Your Health

• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases.
• Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet may protect against certain cancers, such as mouth, stomach, and colon-rectum cancer.
• Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Eating foods such as vegetables that are low in calories, instead of some other less nutritious higher-calorie foods, may be useful in helping to lower overall caloric intake.
• Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections.
• Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keep teeth and gums healthy. Vitamin C also aids in iron absorption.

Source: www.choosemyplate.gov​​​​​​​