So when they say "get your five servings a day", what do they mean?
Fruits and vegetables provide similar types of nutrients. They are both good sources of fiber, antioxidants, and various phytonutrients (which simply means “plant-based nutrients”) that have been linked to a wide variety of health benefits. Of course, fruits tend to be higher in sugar than vegetables. Which makes them an easier sell, in some ways.
To the extent that people may struggle to incorporate fruit on a regular basis, it’s usually an issue of planning, logistics, habits, or access – and not that they don’t enjoy it.
Nutrition Diva recommends aiming for five servings of vegetables and two to three servings of fruit each day. But if you wanted to skip the fruit and eat extra vegetables instead, she'd have absolutely no objection!
People who eat more vegetables end up eating less junk food, are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight, are less likely to have nutrient deficiencies, and, in general, are healthier and live longer.
But data show that getting a greater variety of produce also improves your overall nutrient intake and reduces your risk factors for several diseases—independent of the amount you are eating. Every plant has a slightly different nutritional profile and provides unique phytonutrients. That doesn’t mean you have to eat them all!
So, even if you’re not quite getting five servings a day, you can do yourself a favor by playing the field a little. Youd don't have to have five different vegetables every day. But when you’re buying your veggies and fruit for the week, aim for an array of different colors and botanical families.
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