Why Is It Important to Eat Fruits and Vegetables?

March is National Nutrition Month. While many of us have a goal to live a healthier lifestyle, it can be easy to let our eating habits fall through the cracks.

Trying to change that can seem overwhelming. But you don’t have to change everything at once! Our team at AFC Urgent Care Louisville wants to help you make a change when it comes to increasing your intake of fruits and veggies.

How Many Servings of Fruits and Vegetables Should I Be Eating a Day?

As many as you’d like! But experts recommend getting at least four servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables each day. Most of us don’t come close.

You might be surprised, though, at how little you need to eat to get a serving. For example, one small banana (6 inches long) is considered a serving, while 16 grapes make up a serving. On the veggie side, 1⁄2 cup of leafy vegetables makes up a serving, while six baby carrots are a serving.

Serving Sizes for Fruits & Veggies

  • 1 medium apple, peach or orange
  • Half of a medium avocado
  • A half-inch thick wedge of melon
  • 1⁄4 of a medium pineapple
  • Half of a large bell pepper
  • 5 florets of broccoli or cauliflower
  • Half of a medium potato or half of a large sweet potato
  • 1 small ear of corn

How Can I Get More Fruits & Veggies?

Just like it can be tricky to get children to eat fruits and vegetables, it can also be hard for adults. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get enough servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

For example, you can start your day with a smoothie that includes your favorite fruits and/or vegetables. Then, for a snack, you can go back and forth between carrots, an apple or an orange! When it comes to meals, you can have a healthy salad on a bed of spinach or ensure that you include a fruit and/or vegetable side dish with every meal.

Health Benefits of Eating Fruits and Vegetables

  • Reduced risk of heart disease
  • Reduces risk of stroke
  • Lower risk of cancer
  • Improved eye health
  • More energy
  • Less chance of illness

In order to start living a healthier lifestyle, you need to know where your health currently stands. Visit AFC Urgent Care Louisville for a wellness check. No appointment is necessary!