Saturday, September 15, 2007

Test your Fruit and Veggie IQ

Eating fruits and vegetables everyday as part of a healthy diet can help you fight disease.
TRUE: A good source of many essential vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables are important to promoting good health. Research consistently shows that compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet* are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and perhaps heart disease and high blood pressure.

Most people do not eat enough fruits and vegetables for good health.
TRUE: Despite the many health benefits, most Americans do not consume enough fruit and vegetables every day. Are you meeting your needs? Visit www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov to see how many cups you need each day. Here is a Tip: There is a new and convenient way to get your daily fruits and vegetables. Live Whole Food Based “InstaFresh Juice”

Fruits and vegetables can play a role in weight management.
TRUE: Besides having vitamins and minerals that can help protect your health, many fruits and vegetables are lower in calories and higher in fiber than other foods. Studies have shown that when people eat more low-calorie foods, they naturally eat fewer high-calorie foods. That’s because people tend to eat similar amounts of food even when the calories in the food vary. As part of a healthy diet, eating fruits and vegetables instead of high-fat foods may make it easier to control your weight.

Green vegetables are the most nutritious.
FALSE:
No one food contains all the nutrients your body needs. To get a healthy variety, think color. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors, including plenty of dark green vegetables, gives your body a wide range of nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C.

Fruits and vegetables are always more expensive than other foods.
FALSE: The USDA analyzed the prices of 154 different forms of fruits and vegetables and found that more than half cost less than 25 cents per serving. Compared to a candy bar, soda, or snack grab bag, fruits and veggies are a bargain. Based on 1999 A.C. Nielson Homescan data.

Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried varieties of fruits and vegetables all count toward your daily recommendation.
TRUE:
No matter what the form ― fresh, frozen, canned, dried, juice ― all varieties of fruits and vegetables count toward your daily recommendation. Choose fruits without added sugar or syrups and vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces. Although 100% fruit or vegetable juice counts toward your daily recommendation, the majority of the total daily amount of fruits and vegetables should come from whole fruits and vegetables to help you get enough fiber.

Preparing fruits and vegetables always takes too much time.
FALSE: With so many varieties to choose from, it’s easier than ever to eat more fruits and vegetables. Look for simple recipes that take only minutes to prepare. See reverse side for three great options. Or try whole fruits and vegetables. There are many varieties you can just rinse and eat.

* In addition to fruits and vegetables, a healthy diet also includes whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, lean meats, fish, beans, eggs and nuts, and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. A healthy diet also means staying within your daily calorie needs.

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