Healthy Lifestyle Tip #6: Eat More FRUITS and VEGETABLES

Eat more fruits and vegetables! Preferably, eat more raw fruits and vegetables but if you like them better cooked then eat them cooked. You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian, just focus on incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet and you will become healthier.

Some of the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables are:

High in vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients that will keep you healthy and energized

Reduce the risk of disease, including heart disease, cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.

High in fiber which helps you feel full and prevent overeating as well as aids in digestion

Low in calories and fat so you can eat more and feel full without gaining weight

Dr. Douglas Graham is known for the 80-10-10 plan. 80-10-10 it is a caloric nutrient ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. His recommendation is that you consume 80% of your daily calories from carbohydrates, 10% of your calories from protein, and 10% of your calories from fat. In addition, these calories should be in the form of whole, fresh, ripe, organic, raw, fruits and vegetables.

I think the 80-10-10 ratio is a good guide to use when determining what types of foods you should be eating because it emphasizes eating a majority of your calories from fruits and vegetables. I tend to stick with the 80-10-10 ratio, but I also eat cooked vegetables, legumes, and non-glutinous grains.

If you would like to try out the 80-10-10 diet, cronometer.com is an easy tool to help you track your daily intake of these macro-nutrients and also make sure you are getting enough of other micronutrients. Once you get used to eating this way you will no longer have to track it day by day because you will know what foods to eat and not to eat.

Eating more fruits and vegetables is definitely a cornerstone to achieving a healthier lifestyle. It is easy to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet because there are so many different types and varieties. Try different things and see what you like, there are endless options available to you when you make a commitment to a plant-based lifestyle and long-term health.