We’re focusing on nourishing your body. By drinking more water and eating more fruit and veg, you’ll be helping your body to stay healthy and hydrated, as well as filling it with a range of lovely vitamins.
But why are fruit and veg such an important part of our diet?
- Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium.
- They’re an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
- They can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
- Fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthy, balanced diet.
- Fruit and vegetables taste delicious and there’s so much variety to choose from.
- Fruit and vegetables are also usually low in fat and calories (provided you do not fry them or roast them in lots of oil). That’s why eating them can help you maintain a healthy weight and keep your heart healthy.
So how can I get more fruit and veg goodness into my diet?
- Make a smoothie for a mid morning or mid afternoon snack – this is a great way to pack in loads of goodness
- Add fruit to or on the side of your breakfast – try berries and bananas with porridge or cereal
- Pick a new veggie to try with your dinner a few times a week, you may discover a vegetable you didn’t know you liked
- Look at how you cook things and change things up. Rather than boiling the life out of it, why not try roasting broccoli? You can season veggies with paprika to give them a zing or use a mix of green veg to make a super healthy pesto. Get creative!
- Sub meat for a plant based alternative for at least once a week – you can replace mince for lentils in your spag bol, lasagne or chilli, or make mushroom mince by whizzing them in a food processor. Your body, the environment and the animals will thank you. Remember that beans and lentils are packed full of goodness and count towards your 5 a day too
Give it a try – as well as feeling the benefits of getting more nutrients. you’ll also discover delicious new ways of enjoying fruit and veg.
Try and eat the rainbow this week, and why not show us what you’ve been cooking on Facebook or Instagram?