Vegetables have been in the human diet over the entire human history. We eat them frozen, chilled, cooked, raw, and in ever creative combinations with other vegetables. We also drink them in juices and we even use them as a seasoning for other foods.
There is a lot to know about veggies, as with everything that has been around that long. For that reason, let’s talk about some of them. Hopefully, this will be enough to convince you that every day at every meal and every snack, you should eat some vegetables. Without further due, here are 8 reasons why you should be eating more veggies.
1. All forms matter
It doesn’t matter where you get them or how you get them, they all matter. Vegetables are available in a variety of forms, such as dried, canned, frozen, fresh and 100% juice. Since they are all nutritious, pick the best one for the right occasion.
2. Nutrient-packed
The food we eat should taste good, but it should also provide us with necessary nutrients, such as minerals and vitamins. There are many vegetables which are high and good sources of nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, iron, and folate.
3. Calories that count
Many people struggle with excess weight and with obesity on the rise, IN continues to trump calories OUT. Therefore, eating less and moving more is the only way to bring this trend to a halt. Make the best use of your calories by choosing nutrient-dense foods. These are foods which contain plenty of good stuff and much less of the bad stuff. Vegetables contain few calories, but many important minerals and vitamins.
4. Fiber
Many people in the United States are falling short of fiber consumption, which is vital for digestive and heart health along with weight maintenance. Fill the gap with vegetables, which along with whole grains are the best sources of fiber.
5. Something for everyone
With a wide variety of tastes, forms, textures and colors, there is a vegetable out there for everyone. Therefore, don’t just stop at a few favorites, but expand your palate and improve your health with more.
6. Quick and easy
Thanks to farmers as well as produce industry partners, preparing vegetables can meet any skill set or time clock. It doesn’t matter which form you choose because there are many varieties which require no dicing, slicing, chopping, or peeling and can be prepared in a snap.
7. Disease prevention
Phytonutrients, along with well-known antioxidants, have shown to play an important role in disease prevention, as well as our health. Vegetables contain a number of these nutrients, all with unique benefits and functions.
8. Budget-friendly
Cost per nutrients, vegetables are a no-brainer when compared to the items you spend your food budget on which provide little nutrition and are expensive, such as salty snacks, grain-based desserts, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Make a list and buy in-season. Keep also non-perishable items stocked to help keep costs down.