posted by Ultimate Weight Loss Warrior on May 30
We all know we should eat more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet. The USDA and National Institute of Health guidelines recommend at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. What if you could just step out of your back door and have your pick of your favorite fresh produce?
Growing your own fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure you get enough of the nutritious fresh foods you should be eating. Imagine picking a lush, sun-ripened tomato from your own garden instead of grabbing a pale grocery-store tomato with little taste.
- Fruits that can be grown easily in a home garden include various types of berries, melons and grapes.
Eating more fruits and vegetables provides many health benefits:
- Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber
- Fresh produce contains valuable vitamins and minerals
- Eating fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk of many diseases and cancer
- Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and can help you maintain a healthy weight
Vitamin C helps build immunity, heal cuts and keep teeth and gums healthy. You’ll find plenty of vitamin C in red and green peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, broccoli and kale grown in your garden.
Potassium helps keep minerals and pH in balance and helps regulate blood pressure. A potassium deficiency could result in overall fatigue, high blood pressure or stroke. Garden foods that are rich in potassium include tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes and lima beans.
Vitamin A (or beta carotene) is found in cantaloupe, red peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach. Eating foods rich in vitamin A can keep eyes and skin healthy, and help promote strong bones and teeth.
According to Iowa State University, a diet high in fruits and vegetables can help protect your body from heart disease, reducing your risk by as much as 20 to 40 percent. Additionally, fruits and vegetables can help prevent cancer, stroke, birth defects and cataracts.
Starting to get the picture? Remember that working in the garden also provides a great way to spend time outdoors combined with physical activity. And of course, enjoying the low calorie, high fiber produce from your own garden will help keep you trim.
Gardening can help boost your mood and your health. Gardening is also a great way to lose weight, so get out there and enjoy the outdoors. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/healthy-eating-from-your-garden-944551.html
