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.
Labels: 5 a day, diet, fruit, goal setting., health, healthier life, longer life, nutrition, vegetables, veggies
