Fresh Fruit and Vegetables - Choose Organic Fruit and Organic Vegetables

Fresh fruit and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet.

More and more research shows that fruit and veg contain essential nutrients to protect your health.

What are the health benefits of fresh fruit and veg? The vitamins and minerals in fruit and vegetables can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.

People whose diet is rich in fresh produce have more energy and are less likely to gain weight. And fruit and veg also help reduce the effects of ageing. Choose organic fruit and organic vegetables when you can.

OK, it's convincing. Fresh fruit and vegetables are the biz. But how much is enough? The good news is, that even a small extra amount can make a difference.

Cancer Research UK has reported that 'just one apple or orange a day' could cut your risk of dying early from cancer or other diseases by 20%.

But because fresh fruit and vegetables have such a huge range of long-term health benefits, both the UK and USA governments advise people to eat a minimum of five servings or portions a day. It's important to give five portions a day to kids, too.
People are sometimes confused about the size of a fruit and vegetable serving. It's not always that large, and often you can combine two or more portions in a salad, or sandwich filling. Whatever you choose, it's best to go for seasonal fruit and vegetables if you can.

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Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Information - have a nutritional diet

Why are fruit and veg so amazingly good for you? Read this useful fruit and vegetable nutritional information about the essential nutrients packed into these foods. They're vital for a balanced, nutritional diet.ADVERTISEMENTS
Vegetables and fruit are low fat foods.

They are also low in protein, and, apart from bananas, have a low calorie and starch content.

Almost all fruit and veg are good sources of soluble and insoluble fibre (fiber).

Insoluble fibre adds bulk to stools, keeps food moving through the digestive system, and helps prevent bowel problems like constipation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome and cancer.

Soluble fibre in fruits, pulses, and some grains, helps lower cholesterol in blood, and regulates blood sugar levels. It's filling, and can help with weight management, reducing hunger and making it easier to stay off fatty and sugary foods.

Vegetables and fruit contain a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. For instance, many are good sources of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, folate and potassium. Leafy green veg contain calcium and iron. The best way to get the complete range of vitamins and minerals available from fruit and veg, is to have at least five servings a day, choose a wide range of different types and colours, and check that you are getting the right size fruit and vegetables servings.

It's just as important for children to eat lots of fruit and veg, as it is for adults.

Fruits contain fructose, a natural fruit sugar. As with any other type of sugar, eating too much can cause tooth decay. The risk is highest from fruit juice, which stays contact with teeth for longer. You should only have one serving of fruit juice per day.Veg and fruit are major sources of phytochemicals, natural plant chemicals that protect health. Fruit and vegetable nutritional information wouldn't be complete without a mention of the all-important antioxidants, nutrients that are good for the heart and circulation, protect the body from premature ageing and support the body's own renewal. Antioxidants protect us from many types of pollutants, including emissions from TVs and computers, UV light, pesticides, additives, burnt and fried foods and stress. Fruit and veg which rate well on the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale, have the highest antioxidant content. Top fruits: prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, red grapes, cherries, kiwi. Top veg: kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, beetroot, red peppers, onions.Good Food MattersTop of Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Information | Home | Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
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