Foods for a longer, healthier life?

Are there foods that will lead to a healthier, longer life?   Students in my classes love to ask questions and one student noted:  “I want to live a long time.  What foods do I need to eat?”   Great question and there are foods that will decrease your risk of disease and increase your changes of living longer.  Actually, there are two food groups that will lead to a longer life: fruits and vegetables.  So boring yet so important to our health. 
  • What is the minimum servings of fruits and veggies we need?  5 A Day, a minimum of 5 A Day.
  • Who is lacking in fruits and veggies?  Most of us are. 
                87% of Americans are not eating enough fruit (at least a 1.5 to 2 cups a day)
                75% of Americans are not eating their veggies (2-3 cups a day)

CNBC quotes Marion Nestle, a professor nutrition at New York University as saying, “Everyone would be healthier eating more vegetables.”   (You're Still Not Eating Enough Vegetables)

CDC and the National Cancer Institute found that less than 18% of adults in every state consumed the recommended amount of fruit each day and less than 14% consumer the recommended amount of vegetables.  (And if you are counting French Fries – no go.  Too high in fat and calories.)

Goal – eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day to lower your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many other health conditions. 

Even better, eat 7 or more servings a day and  lower your risk of dying from any cause over they next 8 years by 42% compared to your fellow Americans who eat only 1 serving of fruit or veggies a day. 

You can help not only yourself by eating more fruits and veggies but others.  Yesterday, my daughter was sponsoring a pizza party for youth volunteers.  She added fresh strawberries, a veggie plate to round out the lunch. The youth ate the veggie plate and devoured every strawberry.  Having a luncheon at work?  Make sure fruit and veggies are offered.  

Make your day 5 A DAY, every day.


Sources:  You're Still Not Eating Enough Vegetables,  Image Source: Fruits and Vegetables

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