Everywhere you look, the food we eat is getting further and further away from nature. Store and supermarket shelves are full of processed foods with preservatives and additives that are hard to pronounce. When we're not buying that food, we eat out without paying much attention to the quality of the ingredients.
The effect that this type of diet can have on your health and well-being is worrying. Due to this situation, in recent years the rates of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other metabolic diseases have increased.
From Nutrition Unit of Clínica del Carmen in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, We will tell you the main reasons why you should incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet:
They are a great source of vitamins and minerals.
Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins C, E, and A. They also contain folic acid, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. If you are looking to raise your blood potassium levels, you should consume avocados, sweet potatoes, bananas, prunes, and tomato puree.
Fruits and vegetables offer a variety of flavors and textures, allowing you to be very creative in the kitchen. You can try soft flavors like corn and mushrooms, or bet on stronger ones like olives, onions, and peppers. To sweeten your meals, you can use fruits such as pineapple, grapes or plums. And if what you want is to add acidity, use lemons and grapefruits.
High fiber content.
They contain plenty of fiber to fill you up and improve gut health. Within the fiber-rich vegetables we find peas, artichokes, cauliflower and broccoli. And the fruits rich in fiber are pears, raspberries, pumpkins and apples.
Low in calories and fat.
They are low in calories and fat, which means you can eat more to feel full without worrying about calories. However, if you are on a weight loss regimen you should pay attention to avocados, olives and coconuts; Although it is true that they provide healthy fats, they should be consumed in moderation.
They protect against cancer and other diseases.
Eating fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. This is due to the phytochemicals that are present and help protect against some diseases. Consume cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, collards, and watercress daily.
They help you maintain good health.
As part of a balanced diet, consuming fruits and vegetables daily can help you lose weight and prevent overweight because they are unprocessed foods free of saturated fat, salt, and processed sugar. Additionally they help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and reduce inflammation.
Low in sodium and cholesterol.
Fresh fruits and vegetables contain small amounts of sodium and zero cholesterol content. What contributes a small amount of what is required nutritionally, without altering the values of the organism.
They are all nutritious: fresh, frozen, canned or dried
Although fresh foods are generally recommended, you should know that nutritionally speaking eating frozen, canned or dehydrated fruits and/or vegetables also brings great benefits to your diet. So if you don't have a lot of time to spend in the supermarket, eating canned fruits or vegetables will always be a better choice than granola bars or cookies.
En Clínica del Carmen we have a Nutrition Unit, which is directed by our wonderful specialist in nutrition and dietetics, Vanessa Guerle Aguiar, who can offer you valuable and interesting information such as the one in this article and advise you on the preparation of personalized dietary guidelines, adapted to your individual needs WITHOUT drugs OR food supplements. Call today and request a valuation consultation! You will be in the best hands.
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