One of the many
pleasures of a
healthy diet is
selecting from the
wide variety of fresh
fruits and vegetables
available from your
local farmers and
supermarkets.
Along with adding
a spectrum of
flavors and texture
to your meals, a
diet high in fruits
and vegetables also
provides an array
of complex carbohydrates (including soluble and
insoluble fiber), vitamins, minerals, and other
substances crucial to health. Because fruits and
vegetables have a higher water and fiber content,
they are low in energy density (calories per gram of
food) and thus, they will fill you up while providing
fewer calories. Unfortunately, many Americans eat
less than their recommended daily servings of fruits
and vegetables.73 To find out how many fruits and
vegetable servings are right for you, visit http://www.
fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/.