It’s no secret that a healthy diet is one of the best ways to stay healthy and avoid disease, but it can be tough to get all the nutrients your body needs on a daily basis. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the healthiest fruits and vegetables you can eat to help you reach your dietary goals!
Fruits
There’s no denying that fruits are a great way to add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet. In fact, one of the healthiest things you can do for your body is to eat a variety of different fruits each day.
Here are five fruits you should eat every day:
1. Apples
An apple a day can help keep your heart healthy, as they are packed with antioxidants and fiber. They’re also low in sugar and calories so you can indulge guilt-free.
2. Bananas
Bananas are a great source of potassium and vitamin C, which are both essential for keeping your blood pressure under control and helping you stay healthy overall. Plus, they’re sweet enough to satisfy your cravings but low in calories so you can still lose weight if you need to.
3. Grapes
Grapes are another great source of antioxidants and fiber. They’re also high in sugar, so be sure to limit how many you eat per day if you want to keep your blood sugar levels stable. But they’re a great way to get your daily dose of potassium and other essential nutrients.
4. Pineapple
Pineapples
Vegetables
The healthiest vegetables you need to eat every day are the ones that are low in calories and high in antioxidants. These vegetables help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
Some of the healthiest vegetables to eat include:
Some of the most nutrient-rich vegetables include:
To make sure you’re getting all of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs from your vegetables, try to include a variety in your diet. Try different colors, flavors, and shapes to find what you like best.
And remember: even if a vegetable isn’t on this list, it’s still important to eat them every day! There are plenty of other healthy options out there. Just make sure you’re getting enough calories and nutrients so that your body can function properly.
How many fruits and vegetables should you eat each day?
A healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables. You should eat at least five to six servings of fruits and vegetables each day. You can get your daily servings of fruit and vegetables by eating:
1 cup of chopped fresh fruit
1 cup of cooked veggies
1 banana
1 apple
1 orange
There are many different types of fruits and vegetables, so you can choose which ones you like the best. Some fruits and vegetables are high in sugar, so make sure to watch your intake.
The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables
When you think of fruits and vegetables, what comes to mind? Probably images of piles of greasy fruit or wilted spinach lying on a plate. But there are plenty of health benefits to be gained from eating fresh produce every day.
Not only are fruits and vegetables a great way to feed your body with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but they’re also good for your diet in general. The following are just a few of the health benefits you can expect from regularly including at least one serving of fruits and vegetables in your meals:
1. They help lower cholesterol levels
Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber which can help to lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition, they contain anti-inflammatory compounds which can also help reduce risk of heart disease.
2. They protect against cancer
Studies have shown that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of several types of cancer including colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. Additionally, they’re beneficial for reducing the risk of other chronic diseases such as obesity and type II diabetes.
3. They help improve vision health
A high intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced incidence of macular degeneration
The best fruits and vegetables to eat
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give the healthiest fruits and vegetables enough attention. But according to a study published in the journal BMJ Open, these foods are essential for a healthy diet.
The researchers analyzed data from more than 350,000 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study II. They found that the healthiest diet consisted of a variety of fruits and vegetables, including:
:: Vegetables: Cruciferous (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) and other crucifers (kale, collard greens)
:: Fruits: Apples, bananas, oranges, grapefruit
:: Legumes: Lentils, black beans, chickpeas