Healthy Eating

By Kat

July 19, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

I think the stats are probably valid. Americans eat so much highly processed food that the fruit & vegetable content in most of it is negligible. A couple of months ago I started to focus on eating the proper amount of fresh fruits & vegetables each day. Besides the obvious nutritional benefits, I discovered an unexpected benefit: if I spread the servings out through out the day, I never get ravenously hungry, so I’m not at all tempted to grab something quick & unhealthy. All that fiber in fruits & vegetables takes up a lot of stomach room! I joined a gym at the same time and have lost 18 pounds, without using a fad diet. I just worked out, cut back on fats, and added the healthy stuff.

By charliejoe

July 19, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

This time of year is perfect for eating more fruits and veggies, since there are lots of farmer’s markets and many veggies and fruits are fresh and available. When possible, eat locally!

By heather

July 19, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

I’ve noticed that even as a vegetarian for almost a decade, I STILL sometimes have problems getting 5 full servings a day. I have to assume that if I’m having a hard time with it, people who eat meat are even less likely to eat enough. People need to remember, a cup of fruit is one serving (about the size of a baseball), 1/2 cup of vegetables is one serving. That is a LOT of fruits and veggies. I know I always feel better when I’ve been consitently eating enough, though. I just need to work on my disipline.

By Kat

July 19, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

I agree with charliejoe. In fact, I’m concerned that it will be harder to stick with my new eating program when winter comes. Right now there are produce stands on every other corner, but when the summer fruits & vegetables are gone, I think I’ll have a tougher time. Any suggestions form the vegetarians out there?

By Meredith

July 19, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

I eat 6-9 servings of fruits/veggies per day. A banana with breakfast, piece of fruit as my morning snack, salad w/ lots of veggies (carrots, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms) for lunch, piece of fruit in the afternoon, and usually a sweet potato or corn on the cob with dinner. You just have to work it in.

By Carnivore 69

July 19, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

No, I don’t have five servings of veggies (other than potatoes) a year, much less five a day. 6’1”, 175 in case you were wondering.

By itsme

July 20, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this

I don’t think potatoes and corn are considered vegetables. Potatoes are starch, and corn is a grain. Of course, mac and cheese doesn’t count. :-)

By I try

July 25, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

I have the best intentions … I consider myself a fairly healthy and mindful eater but it’s just that I’m lazy and veggies take chopping, cooking, etc. I’ve always loved fruit, in fact I don’t think a day has gone by all my life that I haven’t eaten at least one apple and esp. now that we have summer fruit I can’t keep away from it. I have salads and veggies, which I don’t have to dress up a lot to enjoy. But as I said, I’m lazy and oftentimes dinner is a frozen lean cuisine or healthy choice french bread pizza, or low sodium canned chunky soup (shudder, I know). But my heart’s in the right place; doesn’t that count for something? I’m 5’5”, 120, exercise and in good physical health.