Fruits and vegetables can be tedious and sometimes difficult to prepare, but they are very important for our bodies to function at full strength. Here is a little breakdown from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that shows the different nutrients we obtain from them and the best pieces of fruits and veggies to get them from.
Fiber
Diets rich in dietary fiber have been shown to have a number of beneficial effects including decreased risk of coronary artery disease.
Excellent vegetable sources:
navy beans, kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, lima beans, white beans, soybeans, split peas, chick peas, black eyed peas, lentils, artichokes
Folate
Healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce a woman's risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect.
Excellent vegetable sources:
black eyed peas, cooked spinach, great northern beans, asparagus
Potassium
Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Good fruit and vegetable sources:
sweet potatoes, tomato paste, tomato puree, beet greens, white potatoes, white beans, lima beans, cooked greens, carrot juice, prune juice
Vitamin A
Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps to protect against infections.
Excellent fruit and vegetable sources:
sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, kale, collard greens, winter squash, cantaloupe, red peppers, Chinese cabbage
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps heal cuts and wounds and keep teeth and gums healthy.
Excellent fruit and vegetable sources:
red and green peppers, kiwi, strawberries, sweet potatoes, kale, cantaloupe, broccoli, pineapple, brussels sprouts, oranges, mangoes, tomato juice, cauliflower
Here is a little help with how to get more fruits and veggies in your diets.