No matter how much vitamin commercials tout the benefits of their products, fresh vegetables and fruits help keep you fit even better. Not only do you get the benefit of the nutrients in them, you get the bulk to keep you feeling fuller and help satisfy your hunger. Fresh fruits provide a great deal of sugar, so getting a sweet treat is even easier and healthier when you eat a handful of berries, a bite of an apple or a sweet nectarine. Always try to get organic fruits to avoid exposure to pesticides in your food.
Berries do more than just fill you up and provide a delicious snack.
You’ll get a wealth of nutrition from berries. Whether you’re opting for blueberries, strawberries or raspberries, they all contain powerful nutrients. One drug company was trying to isolate the anthocyanin in blueberries for a drug to fight cancer. They found that the cancer fighting properties work best in synergy with the other nutrients in the berries. Almost all berries are high in vitamin C and can give your immune system a boost.
Have a banana for your heartburn and also to help prevent stroke and high blood pressure.
Bananas add potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, copper and manganese to your diet, while also increasing your fiber. They help lower blood pressure, while also moderating blood sugar levels. They can improve your digestion, as well as help with weight loss. For a cool treat this summer, slice a banana in one inch slices and freeze. When it’s frozen, throw it into a blender and you’ll have a delicious creamy and healthy treat that tastes better than ice cream.
An apple a day really does help keep the doctor away.
Apples are natures natural tooth cleaners, but they also provide protection from serious conditions, which includes Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Eating apples can help control your cholesterol, providing a great benefit for heart health. They’ll also help clean your colon or stop diarrhea if you have the opposite problem. Eating apples help you control weight and can also help prevent gallstones. An apple and cabbage salad is fiber-filled, but tastes fantastic and can give a boost to your metabolism.
Create your own smoothie. I keep plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in the house and when it looks like some might not last much longer, throw them into the blender to create a smoothie. You can add frozen fruit for a milkshake like treat.
Don’t forget other fruits and vegetables. Kiwi is sweet and delicious, while peaches also add to the enjoyment of snacks and provide a wealth of nutrients.
Create a great pick-me-up for the afternoon by putting a teaspoon of peanut butter on apple slices. You’ll get both the sweet energy from the apple and protein to keep you going.
Whenever possible, use the whole fruit, rather than just the juice. It adds bulk to fill you up and keep you regular. If you’re making a smoothie and using an apple, make sure to keep the peeling on it.