Eating more fruits and vegetables

To make a change, you have to start at the beginning.  Last week, we discussed the importance of water.  This week I would like to focus on eating more fruits and vegetables.

The CDC has this handy calculator on how to calculate how much fruits and vegetables that you should be eating.  This calculator takes into account your age, sex and physical activity.  You can view this calculator by following this link Fruit and Vegetable Calculator.

According to this calculator, I should be eating 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables per day.  I probably eat this amount of fruit and vegetables during the week but I know that I don't eat the 'required' amount during the weekends.

I am sure that some of you are saying this is just too much work.  I get that. There is an easier way to increase your fruit and vegetable intake by incorporating fruits and vegetables into all your meals and snacks.

Here are some suggestions:

• Add a half an apple, 1 cup of berries or a banana onto your breakfast cereal or oatmeal
• Morning snack - small apple with some string cheese
• Afternoon snack - 5 dried apricots with 10 dry roasted, unsalted almonds
• Desert - 1 cup of strawberries with a piece of dark chocolate

Always add vegetables to your lunch and dinner meals.  By doing this you will be well on your way increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Remember it is the small changes in your diet that will make a lastly change in your health.

Tip of the Day:  Incorporate fruits and vegetables in every meal.