Fruits and vegetables people!

I read something disturbing the other day. It made me think we need to talk. We really need to talk.

What are you eating? Really, what are you eating? Because apparently you’re not eating enough fruits and vegetables.

How do I know? Well, a new study released says so. What does it say? “Most U.S. adults are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Only about 1 out of every 10 eats enough fruits and vegetables.” And to go even further, ”the amount is holding steady at a disappointing low.”

Ugh, really?!

So what’s the problem? What is the problem? Don’t you know that consuming fruits and veggies helps lower your risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and obesity? Don’t you know that fruits and veggies are full of vitamins and minerals that help us just feel good?

Okay, let’s start with this. How much should you be eating? Do you know? Can you guess? Well, in general, if you get less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day, you should be eating 1 ½ to 2 cups of fruit AND 2 ½ to 3 cups of vegetables per day. This amount can vary based on age, gender, and physical activity.

Surprised? Does that sound like a lot? It’s not really. You can do it. It’s not that hard. Really, it’s not that hard. And, remember, I’m here to help.

So, what can you do? Make a salad part of your day and make it colorful! Bulk up your sandwich – add slices of lettuce, tomato, onion and even avocado! Top your cereal with fruit, add veggies to your omelet! Or try making a smoothie! Fire up the grill! Grilling vegetables and fruits adds a great flavor. But really, there are so many ways to liven up your meals with fruits and vegetables I could go on and on.

But let me make it simple. If you have a salad with lunch, and some veggies at dinner, you’ve done it. If you have a banana and an apple, you’ve done it. Did you hear me? You’ve done it! See I told you it was easy.

Now I am proud to say that I am not your average U.S. adult. I definitely exceed my recommended vegetable intake. And, okay, you know I’m working on my fruit intake. But it’s getting better everyday! And I know it’s not easy for everyone. So I hope I can help. I hope to inspire you to try something new. And I hope to make you aware of how important food is to your health. I hope I can make a difference.

Now, tell me – how do you eat your fruits and veggies?