Fruits and veggies are good sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and other good nutrients. Eating these has many advantages.
Take the carrot, for instance. It is packed with Beta-carotene which is an antioxidant full of nutritional benefit. Beta Carotene can also be found in apricots, broccoli, kale, spinach, and squash. Another great antioxidant is Vitamin C. We know where some of the major sources of Vitamin C are found: grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, tangelos, etc. But did you know that there is a whole bunch of Vitamin C hanging out in green stuff as well? Sources such as broccoli, kiwi, green peppers, green leafy veggies and more. These antioxidants are essential to your good health and fight against fibromyalgia.
Let's take a look at folate. It is imperative that we have this in our diet for normal growth of our cells and the maintenance of them. So where is folate? Yes, you guessed it, it's found in those dark leafy greens as well. It's also found in dried beans, yeast breads, wheat germ, some cereals, mustard greens and others. So what's not green and contains folate? Oranges are a good source of folate and can give you a break from turning so green.
Calcium is a great nutrient for your body and for Fibromyalgia sufferers. It is found in those green veggies as well as milk, cheese, etc.
Let's take a look at how these affect our bodies and what good they can do for us. Veggies and fruits are a great fast food. They are yummy, low-fat, have good carbs, and are packed with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that we just discussed. They help protect against disease and help fight off cataracts, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and more. They can help new cells grow in a healthy environment and protect cells from free radicals. The benefits go on and on, but you get the picture.
Most people eat less than half of the amount of fruits and veggies they should in a day. The Food Guide Pyramid recommends 5-9 servings each day. I think we should tend to lean on the 9 a day. I know this sounds like a lot but the benefits are so worth it. Try and eat fresh fruit and vegetables and only go to canned or frozen in off-seasons or when there isn't fresh available.
Consuming these on a daily basis, you will see amazing benefits. Good Health to You!