Be honest: Are you eating your vegetables? If you’re part of the majority, you’re likely not eating enough. Low in calories, high in fiber and with almost all the vitamins and minerals your body needs, vegetables are a nutritional cornerstone. Yet, according to a recent survey, the average person only includes vegetables in one third of their meals. Even more disturbing — one in four people surveyed said they had never eaten a vegetable at all.
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The survey included 2,000 Americans who were asked about their vegetable intake, including questions about their favorite and least favorite veggies. Corn topped the list as the majority favorite; potatoes came in second and carrots and tomatoes were tied for third as participants’ favorite vegetable. The winner for least favorite veggie? Turnips, followed closely by beets, radishes and Brussels sprouts.
The health benefits of vegetables are nearly endless. They help promote healthy, glowing skin, aid in weight management, improve gut health, reduce your risk for chronic disease, boost healthy immune function and improve your mood, energy level and psychological well-being.
Vegetables also contain an array of antioxidants and other disease-fighting compounds that are very difficult to get anywhere else. Plant chemicals called phytochemicals can reduce inflammation and eliminate carcinogens, while others regulate the rate at which your cells reproduce, get rid of old cells, and maintain DNA integrity. Depp red and blue foods in particular, including all berries and cherries, are loaded with health-boosting antioxidants. Some of the most beneficial include red onions, purple cabbage, beets and eggplant.
Vegetables are also a key component if you want to reduce your risk of cancer. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, appear to be particularly important, and have been repeatedly shown to help prevent certain cancers by inhibiting cancer cell growth and promoting apoptosis (cell death).
Long story short, don’t skimp on veggies. If you’re having a hard time adding them to your diet, consider juicing. It allows you to absorb all the nutrients and consume an optimal amount of vegetables quickly and efficiently.