Have you ever heard the phrase “You are what you eat”? Chances are you have! Believe it or not, what you eat today can affect how healthy you are throughout life. Together with the Vegetable Prescription Program, we believe that living a healthier lifestyle starts with eating healthier.
What does it look like to eat healthier?
When people think of a “healthy diet,” they tend to think of pricey superfoods, expensive grains, or fancy supplements; however, eating healthier is far cheaper and easier than we think! Living healthier can start simply by including more fruits and vegetables in your diet. By including more fruits and vegetables in your diet, you are helping prevent your body from developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other chronic diseases!
How do fruits and vegetables help prevent disease?
Our bodies require 17 essential nutrients to function, and many of these nutrients can be found in fruits and vegetables! In addition, since these foods are often “nutrient-dense”, we can often get these nutrients from them without consuming a lot of calories. The nutrients found in fruits and vegetables include vitamin K, fiber, folate, and more! Each of these nutrients plays a role in helping different parts of our body to function, from strengthening our bones to helping make more red blood cells. With all these incredible benefits, it makes sense that eating fruits and vegetables would improve our health.
What are some nutrients found in my Vegetable Prescription Box?
VITAMIN C
- Eating foods with vitamin C can help us build a healthy immune system and helps heal us from wounds
- Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning it slows aging and protects you from cancer.
Sources: Peppers, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Peas, Sweet Potato, Grapefruit, Oranges, Cantaloupes
VITAMIN K
- Eating foods with vitamin K promotes healthy bones and helps heal your body from cuts and bruises
Sources: Lettuce, Cabbage, Parsley, Collards, Swiss Chard, Kale, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts
FIBER
- Eating fiber helps prevent constipation
- Fiber helps your gut stay healthy and helps prevent disease
- Having fiber in your diet helps your body absorb more nutrients from your food
Sources: All vegetables, All fruits and fruit skins, Whole grain bread, Wheat pasta, Brown rice
FOLATE
- Eating foods with folate promotes reproductive health
- Folate also helps your body make healthy red blood cells
Sources: Broccoli, Asparagus, Cauliflower, Spinach, Lettuce, Avocado, Bran Flakes, Peanuts, Chickpeas
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