Your mother told you to eat your vegetables, but did you really ever listen? I know that when I was a kid, I definitely didn’t! But with all of the scientific reports and studies, it seems that your mother may have been on to something. Eating vegetables is one of the best things that you can do for your diet, and your body.
Why Vegetables?
Eating vegetables is an easy way to help a bad diet become healthier. First of all, vegetables contain a number of antioxidants that may help to stop certain cancers from forming in the body. These antioxidants, like Vitamin C, help the body to repair after long bouts of stress and illness, and help to shield the body from future problems. Tomatoes, for example, include lycopene, which can help to protect your eyes from sight problems as you age.
Great Source Of Fiber
There is the fiber factor in eating vegetables; because of the high levels of fiber, the digestive system remains healthier and more toned. Just like your body’s muscles, the digestive system needs to remain sleek in order to process food properly. When you eat more fiber, the insides of your digestive system remains clear and healthy, allowing you to avoid issues with constipation, not to mention more dangerous issues like colon cancers and polyps.
Great Source Of Protein
If you are trying to avoid animal products, you have to make sure that you are eating vegetables in order to get the protein that you’d otherwise be lacking. By combining vegetables in your meals, you will be able to consume the essential amino acids that your body needs to survive – and thrive! A simple meal of spinach, beans, and whole grain rice is a great way to treat your body right, whether or not you are avoiding animal products.
Great Source Of Water
Vegetables also contain high levels of water in their molecular structures, which allows them to be fat free and generally extremely low in calories. This is a great asset for those that are watching their calories and want to lose weight. Combined with the fiber, eating vegetables also tends to make a person feel fuller for longer, and curbs the tendency for unnecessary snacking on more processed, high-calorie foods.
Vegetables Are An Easy Addition To Your Diet
Eating vegetables is quite simple for anyone to add to their diets. Not only can you find small baby carrots very easily at the grocery store, but some companies have gone so far as to create snack packs of vegetables that you can bring with you anywhere.
Salad mixes are also on grocery store shelves, making it easy to eat your greens any night of the week with minimal preparation and cleanup. You can find vegetable juices and smoothies, too, for an additional option – just beware of high sugar contents in some of these more processed meals.
No one says that eating vegetables needs to be boring. Try vegetable-based soups, broths, and even vegetable-based protein products for variety and flavor. You can also find vegetable breads and pastas in many stores.
Don’t forget about spaghetti sauces and marinara for additional tomatoes and other ingredients! Maybe with these tips, you’ll be able to obey your mom – for once. We hope this helps you add some quality nutrients to your diet!
About the Author: Bobby DeMuro is the Founder of FusionSouth, a personal training/sports conditioning firm in Charlotte, NC. He is also the Executive Director of NoFizz Charlotte, a non-profit dedicated to bringing awareness on the importance of proper hydration. He resides on Lake Norman with his 2-year old boxer, Dakota.
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