Benefits of Eating Fruits and Vegetables
- Fruits and vegetables are great sources of many vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances that may help protect you from chronic diseases.
- Compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts, as part of a healthy diet, are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases. These diseases include stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer and perhaps heart disease and high blood pressure.
To learn more about the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, visit this page on the CDC Fruit and Vegetable Program website.
Eat a Colorful Variety
For the most health benefits, eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables every day. This will assure that you get the broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals (fight-o-chemicals) your body needs to stay healthy.
How Many?
To find out the amounts you need each day, visit this interactive screen on the CDC Fruit and Vegetable Program homepage. Or, download How Many Fruits and Vegetables Do You Need?, a 12 page brochure from the CDC that helps you figure out how many daily cups of fruits and vegetables you need-available in English and Spanish. Three Simple Steps to Eating More Fruits and Vegetables, an easy-to-read fact sheet, is on the same page-also in English and Spanish.
To learn a simple way to estimate how much you are eating, get a copy of What Does a Tennis Ball Have to Do with Fruits and Vegetables? (1 page) or visit this page on the CDC Fruit and Vegetable Program website.
Learn More About the Fruit and Vegetable Program!
(Formerly the 5 A Day for Better Health Program)
Also see Fruit and Veggie Recipes |
