Eat Your Vegetables!

Improve your health by increasing your intake of vegetables.

According to official US dietary guidelines, you should eat three to five servings of vegetables daily. Very few people meet this target, and miss out on one of the most potent ways of improving health and preventing disease.

Vital Nutrients
Vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, which help keep your skin and eyes healthy and your bones strong while helping to fight infection. They also work with other vitamins and minerals to keep muscles healthy. Vegetables are an excellent source of folate, potassium, and fiber, which play an important role in the diet. Fiber helps keep the intestinal tract in good working order and may help reduce the risk of colon cancer. A high-fiber diet is often low in fat and provides a feeling of satiety, or fullness, without adding unnecessary calories. Because of this quality, fiber can play a vital role in weight control.

What is a vegetable serving? Examples of vegetable servings include:

> 1 cup of cooked green beans
> 1 cup of cooked spinach
> 1 cup of cooked carrots
> 1/2 cup of chopped tomatoes
> 1/2 cup of cooked Brussels sprouts
> 1/2 cup of cooked mushrooms