Foods for a longer, healthier life?
Are there foods that will lead to a healthier, longer
life? Students in my classes love to
ask questions and one student noted: “I
want to live a long time. What foods do
I need to eat?” Great question and
there are foods that will decrease your risk of disease and increase your
changes of living longer. Actually,
there are two food groups that will lead to a longer life: fruits and
vegetables. So boring yet so important
to our health.
- What is the minimum servings of fruits and veggies we need? 5 A Day, a minimum of 5 A Day.
- Who is lacking in fruits and veggies? Most of us are.
75% of
Americans are not eating their veggies (2-3 cups a day)
CNBC quotes Marion Nestle, a professor nutrition at New York
University as saying, “Everyone would be healthier eating more vegetables.” (You're
Still Not Eating Enough Vegetables)
CDC and the National Cancer Institute found that less than
18% of adults in every state consumed the recommended amount of fruit each day
and less than 14% consumer the recommended amount of vegetables. (And if you are counting French Fries – no go. Too high in fat and calories.)
Goal – eat 5 or more servings of fruit and
vegetables each day to lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke,
diabetes and many other health conditions.
Even better, eat 7 or more servings a day and lower your risk of dying from any cause over
they next 8 years by 42% compared to your fellow Americans who eat only 1
serving of fruit or veggies a day.
You can help not only yourself by eating more fruits and
veggies but others. Yesterday, my
daughter was sponsoring a pizza party for youth volunteers. She added fresh strawberries, a veggie plate
to round out the lunch. The youth ate the veggie plate and devoured every
strawberry. Having a luncheon at
work? Make sure fruit and veggies are
offered.
Make your day 5 A
DAY, every day.
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