Simple Solutions to Eating More Fruits and Vegetables

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.