The Surprising Reason Why Eating the Same Fruits and Veggies Isn't Enough
Eat the Rainbow
Most people simply do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. Or they eat the same 3-4 fruits and vegetables without any variety. Fix this by making fruits and vegetables the main focus of a meal, and eat a variety of colors.
Meat and grain dominate the American plate. This is one of the factors that has lead to staggering numbers of obesity and lifestyle-related health issues. Meat and grains can be a part of balanced nutrition, but all to often the meat and grains take up most of the plate, while the vitamins and minerals found in the fruits and veggies are relegated to an insignificant side note on the perimeter of the plate.
When the fruits and veggies do make it onto the plate, they are often drenched in sauces that are loaded with salt, sugar, and fat.
There also tends to be very little variety. Carrots, bananas, apples, avocados...the usual suspects. These are all healthy options! Eating the same foods meal after meal, however, limits the variety in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients (the nutritious stuff found in plants) that the body is getting.
Mix it up.
Try to eat fruits and vegetables with different colors each day.
Monday might be orange carrots and tangerines.
Tuesday can be red bell peppers and raspberries.
Wednesday, broccoli and green grapes.
Not only will the variety improve nutrition and overall health, it will keep healthy eating interesting and less mundane for the taste buds.
