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Nutrition Month 2011 Challenge!
Read through the following Q+A’s and send us your ideas to get a free grocery tote*. (see rules below)
True or False? Test your Veggie and Fruit IQ.
Q: Eating fruits and vegetables everyday as part of a healthy diet can help you fight disease.
A: True! A good source of many essential vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables are important to promoting good health. Research consistently shows that compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and perhaps heart disease and high blood pressure.
Q: Most people do not eat enough fruits and vegetables for good health.
A: True! Despite the many health benefits, 61% of residents do not eat more than 5 servings of vegetables and fruit per day. Do you have any creative idea on how to increase your vegetables and fruit intake? Send us your idea at nutritionmonth@healthunit.org to get a free reusable grocery tote*.
Q: Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried varieties of fruits and vegetables all count toward your daily recommendation.
A: True! No matter what the form ― fresh, frozen, canned, dried, juice ― all varieties of fruits and vegetables count toward your daily recommendation. Choose fruits without added sugar or syrups and vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces. Although 100% fruit or vegetable juice counts toward your daily recommendation, the majority of the total daily amount of fruits and vegetables should come from whole fruits and vegetables to help
you get enough fiber.
Q: Green vegetables are the most nutritious.
A: False! No one food contains all the nutrients your body needs. To get a healthy variety, think color. Eating fruits
and vegetables of different colors, including plenty of dark green vegetables, gives your body a wide range of nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C.
Q: Fruits and vegetables can play a role in weight management.
A: True! Besides having vitamins and minerals that can help protect your health, many fruits and vegetables are lower in calories and higher in fiber than other foods. Studies have shown that when people eat more low-calorie foods, they naturally eat fewer high-calorie foods. That’s because people tend to eat similar amounts of food even when the calories in the food vary. As part of a healthy diet, eating fruits and vegetables instead of high-fat foods may make it
easier to control your weight.
Q: Fruits and vegetables are always more expensive than other foods.
A: False! Buying vegetables and fruit in season is a good way to save. These power foods are packed with healthy nutrients that are way more nutritious than a candy bar, soda, or chips. Buying frozen and canned vegetables and fruit when they are on sale are also a good way to save money. You can also try the Good Food Box program where you can buy fresh produce as a group at a reduced price. For more information on this program, call the Health Action line at 1-800-660-5853.
Q: Preparing fruits and vegetables always takes too much time.
A: False! With so many varieties to choose from, it’s easier than ever to eat more fruits and vegetables. Look for simple recipes that take only minutes to prepare. Or try whole fruits and vegetables. There are many varieties you can just rinse and eat. Do you have any good recipe ideas using vegetables or fruit? Send us your recipe at nutritionmonth@healthunit.org to get a free reusable grocery tote*.
Bright Ideas
*Limit one grocery tote per household. Quantities are limited, first-come first-serve. Offer ends March 31, 2011. Available only to residents of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. Winners will be contacted via e-mail and the grocery tote can be picked up at the Health Unit once notified.
Your tip may be published on this website, so please send your name, the city or town in which you live, and permission to publish your first name, city/town and tip when you send your email.
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