Well Balanced Diet Can't Be Without Fruits and Vegetables - Healthy Living Part 7

Fruits and vegetables are important to our health for many reasons; certainly because they contain fibre in the whole food, and they contain phytonutrients, which are plant based nutrients in the numbers of 20,000 or more, all of which work together to ensure our health.

Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables is the simple "5 A Day" message, and a smart strategy for better health. Vegetables are virtually fat free and contain no cholesterol.

Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed. But certainly the acid test or taste of the good cook will be in the preparation of vegetables. Using herbs or seasoning instead of butter or fat could make vegetables more distinctive.

Fresh vegetables contains many of the vital vitamins and minerals and may be destroyed by cooking, so the idea of using raw vegetables becomes the most desirable for any menu, and especially for the low-fat menus and raw food diets.

As very positive shows on raw foods diet, vegetables becomes the most important ingredient as it can be combined with cottage cheese, or gelatin recipes. Use raw vegetables almost exclusively, since the vitamin value is at peak this way, and the crispness of the vegetables is most appetizing.

As important as vegetable, fruits also contain virtually no fat and are entirely free of any cholesterol. Two notable exceptions, however, are the avocado and the coconut, which are both very high in fat content and thus should be avoided. Otherwise there is no restriction on the use of fruits, which are also certainly ideal for desserts. When fresh fruits are not in season, use dried, canned, or frozen fruits.

In low fat or raw food diet, a well-constructed vegetable or fruits salad can be served as a meal all alone, as well as they are often served before a main course.

Gelatin salads are special favorites to many, especially when made with fruit juices instead of water. Aspic salads are excellent when prepared with vegetables or vegetable juices. If cottage cheese is added to gelatin and aspic salads, more protein and "body" results.

Simply add various fruits and vegetables to your daily diet is the easy way to help improve your health, give you a quick boost of flavor and energy anytime. It may lower the risk of cancer, particularly cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, according to a high-level international review of research findings. And also helps reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cataracts.

Haiyan Lai-Heskin has been a nurse for 17 years. She has been writing Health, Wellness and Fitness articles for many years. Her website Healthy Living Golden Rules has varieties of health related articles advocate people to have a healthy lifestyle. Try Acai Berry Weight Loss for Free Today! And you'll be automatically signed up to a Free lifetime memebership of weight loss management system.

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