To Your Health

An article in the November 2013 issue of Shape magazine states:

 

You know that eating fruits and veggies is good for your health; now research shows people who do so actually LIVE LONGER. (emphasis added)  A study of more than 70,000 people published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who ate five servings of produce every day (a serving being equivalent to a whole fruit, like an apple, or half a cup of veggies) lived an average of three years longer than those who ate fewer than five. 

 

While researchers aren't quite sure why that seems to be the magic number, fruits and vegetables offer fiber and many different nutrients and vitamins the body needs.  "We know, for instance, that bananas are high in potassium, which helps prevent hypertension, while oranges are important for their immunity-boosting vitamin C," says Andrea Bellavia, author of the study and a researcher at the Karolisnka Institute in Sweden.

While the study found no evidence that eating any more than the recommended servings further increased longevity, don't stop there: Replacing heavier foods in your diet with fresh produce is good for your waistline too, so feel free to pile it on.

 

We have been eating lots of fruits and veggies!  We always have bananas and/or apples and we have been stockpiling carrots, celery, cukes and bell peppers every other week.  We are fortunate to have some local grocers with super high quality fruits & veggies at crazy affordable prices! 

 

I slip half a banana into my morning quinoa-oats.  We take a baggie of sliced veggies to work for a break snack and also try to have a piece of fruit, too.  Chris has been making us green smoothies in the evenings, full of veggies plus fresh kale and spinach.

 

I hope you can find ways to "sneak" five servings of these longevity givers into your & your loved one's days! 

 

I will raise a glass of green smoothie to you tonite ~ Cheers!!