June is moving right along which means the summer growing season is upon us. June is also National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. It is a great time to focus on eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. June is a good time to remind ourselves to make half of our plate fruits and vegeta
bles since most Americans don’t eat enough of either.
Locate a farmer’s market in your area and make it a point to visit to see what locally grown produce vendors have to offer.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with the nutrients our bodies need for healthy growth and development. They provide many important vitamins and minerals as well as dietary fiber. Since most fruits and veggies have a high water content, they help keep us hydrated. Snack on some watermelon on a hot day to help cool you off and to hydrate you!
By eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, you can help reduce the risk of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke and protect against certain types of cancers.
Vegetables are divided into subgroups based on the different combinations of nutrients they provide. It is important to eat a variety of vegetables and to eat from all of the subgroups throughout the week. The table below breaks vegetables into subgroups to assist you with choosing a variety to eat.
As I mentioned earlier, very few Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines. Below are some suggestions to help you make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Serve salads or a vegetable as a side dish at dinner.
- Choose a fruit instead of dessert.
- Create or order mixed dishes like casseroles or stir-fry.
- Snack on fresh fruits or vegetables, like grapes, bananas, carrots, or cucumbers.
- East a piece of fruit with breakfast every day.
- Build your meals around fruits and vegetables when meal planning.
- Cool off this summer with a fruity homemade smoothie or popsicle. You can even get adventurous and add some veggies to your recipes.
Did you know……fruits and vegetables consumed in almost all forms count towards your daily total? These can be canned, dried, frozen, or fresh. Canned and frozen foods are processed within hours of being harvested so their nutritional value and flavor are preserved.
Author: Tammy Jones, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Pike County
Reviewer: Misty Harmon, Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Perry County
Sources:
Brooks, A. (2014). All About Smoothies. Virginia Cooperative Extension. http://blogs.ext.vt.edu/eatsmart-movemore/2014/04/03/all-about-smoothies/
Fruits & Veggies More Matters. http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/fresh-frozen-canned-dried-and-100-juice
Fruits & Veggies More Matters. http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/key-nutrients-in-fruits-and-vegetables
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/chapter-2/a-closer-look-at-current-intakes-and-recommended-shifts/#table-2-1
United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.choosemyplate.gov/vegetables-nutrients-health
United States Department of Agriculture. https://healthymeals.fns.usda.gov/features-month/june/national-fresh-fruit-and-vegetable-month
Live Healthy Live Well 