Compared to people who eat 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. Depending on age and level of physical activity, men should eat between 2 to 2 1/2 cups of fruit and 21/2 to 4 cups of vegetables every day. Eating more fruits and vegetables is a smart thing you can do for your health.
Fill up, not out
As part of a healthy diet, eating fruits and vegetables instead of high-fat foods may make it easier to control your weight. You may also feel full on fewer calories. That’s because most are also lower in calories and higher in fiber than other foods. To get a healthy variety, think color. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Some examples include green spinach, orange sweet potatoes, black beans, yellow corn, purple plums, red watermelon, or white onions. For more variety, try new fruits and vegetables regularly.
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