Eat the rainbow! Make sure at least half of your plate is full of fruits and veggies.
Choose fruits and veggies as quick snacks.
Try something new. You can find fresh choices at a farm stand or farmers market.
Vary your veggies. Fresh or frozen? Cooked or raw? Red, orange, or green? Picking different options will keep meals interesting!
You can cook frozen or fresh vegetables in the microwave for a quick side dish.
Opt for whole fruits more than fruit juice. Fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and pureed all count!
Add fruit to your cereal or yogurt at breakfast.
We know fruits and vegetables are good for us and the research is clear on the amazing benefits—decreased risk of major chronic diseases including heart disease, high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, cancer, gastrointestinal conditions, eye conditions, and Alzheimer’s disease. Fruits and vegetables are powerful medicines with their phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Despite knowing the health benefits, many Americans do not eat the recommended amounts. Recently the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released data from 2009 which indicated 67.5% of adults were eating less than 2 servings of fruit per day and 73.7% were eating less than 3 servings of vegetables per day. Dietary guidelines recommend 5-13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (2.5-6.5 cups), depending on your caloric requirements. This means only about a quarter of adults in the U.S. are experiencing the remarkable benefits fruits and vegetables offer.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber while being low in calories. Incorporating a variety of them into your diet can help control your weight and blood pressure. Here are some easy ways to boost your fruit and veggie intake.
There are so many visually remarkable species of birds on our planet that it would take forever to list them all! That being said, the following 11 birds are some of the most colorful and visually striking avian head-turners around. Whether to blend in with their surroundings or attract a suitable mate, the birds listed here have all evolved to be bright and beautiful.
Ice in early spring on Lake Massabesic in Manchester.
This year, “ice in” on Lake Winnipesaukee wasn’t declared until Feb. 9, the latest date on record. And "ice out" was the earliest ever, March 17. That’s less than six weeks frozen.