Go Ahead, Eat More Fruit!
By Donna Stark
Cancer, heart disease, and complications from obesity are scary things to talk about, but what isn't scary is how you can naturally reduce the risk of them from occurring in the first place. Adding more fruit to your daily diet is a delicious way to nourish your body, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of serious medical conditions. Let's leave the scary thoughts for Halloween and improve our overall health and wellness with fruit! Here are some easy-to-follow suggestions on how to incorporate more into your days.
Start Your Day
Tired of eating toast for breakfast? Have some fruit instead! You can easily get in a couple of servings by filling a bowl with sliced fruit or making a breakfast smoothie. Or just take care of one of your servings by adding a sliced banana to your cereal or a handful of berries on top of your yogurt. Starting your day with some fruit is a great way to rehydrate, kickstart your metabolism, and fuel your body for the day ahead!
Shoot for Five
You want to shoot for five servings a day, and generally, a serving of fruit is pretty easy to figure out. Grab an apple, a banana, or an orange and you are good to go. But, if you are trying to add variety to your daily intake, here are some tips.
- Natural fruit juice - 4 ounces
- Dried fruit - 1/4 cup
- Berries - one cup
- Fruit salad - one cup
Replace Your Snacks
If your afternoon snacks come out of a vending machine or a neon-colored plastic bag, you should probably reconsider what you are eating and think about replacing it with a piece of fruit. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it is a great replacement for those nutritionally-void items you have been choosing in the past. Plus, some pieces of fruit are even travel-friendly!
Try Something New
Variety is the spice of life and thank goodness for that! Because with fruit, the options for a spicy life are endless! Although they are delicious, you don't have to stick with apples, oranges, and bananas month after month. Try something new. Want to go exotic? Buy some guava, papaya, and mangoes the next time you are in the store. Looking for comfort? Go ahead and grab those peaches, pears, and cherries. Keep in mind that it's better (and tastier) to buy the produce that is in season at the moment.
Fruit for Better Health
Adding more fruit into your diet is one way to improve your overall well-being, so start today and fill your basket with loads of produce. Don't be scared to try new things either! Remember, we are leaving the scary stuff for Halloween!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Webster, Tex.