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Fruits
How &

to Eat Vegetables

Healthy Can Protect

ating right makes you feel Your Health
good, and it’s important
for reducing your risk for
Ediseases like heart disease, ruits and vegetables come in terrific col-
diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis. ors and flavors, but their real beauty lies
In fact, healthier eating could cancer in what’s inside. Fruits and vegetables
deaths by as much as 35 percent. Fare great sources of many vitamins, min-
erals, fiber and other natural substances that may
Every day you hear nutrition mes- help protect you from chronic diseases.
sages from the media and sort through To get a healthy variety, think color. Eating
information from advertisers who want fruits and vegetables of different colors gives
you to buy their products. Some products your body a wide range of
are healthy, but others may be lacking in nu- valuable nutrients, like
trients. Sometimes it’s hard to sort it all out. fiber, potassium, and
What’s important is to follow the basics: eat a vitamins A and C.
healthy diet by choosing a variety of fruits and Some examples in-
vegetables. Avoid fats, added sugars, and salt. clude green spinach,
Eat in moderation. orange, sweet pota-
toes, black beans,
yellow corn, purple
plums, red water-
melon, and white
onions.
Nutrients should
come primarily from
foods, such as fruits
and vegetables that con-
tain not only the vitamins
and minerals that are often
found in supplements, but also other naturally
occurring substances that may also help protect
you from chronic diseases.
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, such as stroke and perhaps oth-
er cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
Busy lives can benefit from food that’s nutri-
tious, yet easy to eat-on the go, like fresh fruits
and vegetables. They are a natural source of en-
ergy and give the body many nutrients you need
to keep going. In another word, they are critical
to promoting good health.

34 CNM | CARIBBEANNETWORKMAGAZINE.COM