Why Eat Fruits and Veggies? Palo Alto Medical Foundation Health Education Department Jenna Levy, Health Educator Medical Review: Leigha Winters, MD August 2016

Nutrients Fruits and vegetables… provide fiber, vitamins and minerals that your body needs are packed with hundreds of disease fighting phytochemicals--natural substances that work together to protect good health are low in sodium, fat, and calories have no cholesterol

Great Source of Fiber Helps reduce blood cholesterol May lower risk of heart disease Important for bowel functioning Helps reduce constipation Helps you feel full on less calories

Great Source of Vitamin C Important for growth Helps repair body tissue Helps heal cuts Improves teeth and gum health

Other Benefits Potassium assists in reducing blood pressure Folic acid helps create red blood cells Vitamin A from veggies Improves eye and skin health Helps ward off infections Reduces calorie intake

Disease Prevention Protects against heart disease Reduces risks of some cancers Reduces risk of type 2 diabetes Reduces blood pressure and bone loss Reduces risk of developing kidney stones

Mix it Up Try to eat different colored fruits and veggies every day Different colored foods contain different types of nutrients that protect our health Try out new fruits and veggies – you can find interesting and unique options at your local farmers market

References PAMF Teen Site http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/nutrition/malenutrition.html#Why%20eat%20fruits%20and%20vegetables USDA Choose My Plate.gov Fruits http://www.choosemyplate.gov/fruits-nutrients-health Vegetables http://www.choosemyplate.gov/vegetables- nutrients-health