Frequently Asked Question:
My turn.
Have you ever been told or told someone else yourself,
“You have to eat more fruits and vegetables!”
(Insert pointer finger waving here)
Thought so.
Any guess as to
why that suggestion is still important today as it was the very first time your loved one suggested (ok, maybe demanded) it?
That’s right…because fruits and vegetables are “good for you.”
Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals.
And fiber.
And water.
And energy.
And phytonutrients!
Phyto-what?!
Phytonutrients.
Fruits and vegetables and other plant foods -including legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains are powerhouses that deliver
thousands of
phytonutrients to our bodies!
The term ‘phytonutrients’ literally means, plant (‘phyto’ is Greek for plants) nutrients.
Phytonutrients are naturally occurring, biologically active compounds created by plants for their own survival and protection.
Smart plants, huh?
Such
naturally occurring plant nutrients interact in a number of ways to
protect the plant AND to prevent disease and promote health in humans
who eat plants!
The
best way to take full advantage of these phytonutrients and their
symphony of interactions is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables
and other plant foods.
Think rainbow here…
The darker & deeper the color of the plant, the more power of phytonutrients your body will experience with each bite.
So the next time you step into the produce room at your local grocery store, pause and take a look around…
See the purple cabbage over there? The deep green kale & broccoli over there?
Over on that wall of produce, do you see the orange & yellow peppers? The blue, purple and magenta colored berries?
The red onions and the white garlic caught your eye?
All of those colors, aromas and textures of the fresh fruit and vegetables are there for a reason.
The reason: protective phytonutrients.
And so now you know exactly why,
“You have to eat more fruits and vegetables.”
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