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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. References
PAMF Teen Site
USDA Choose My Plate.gov
Fruits
Vegetables nutrients-health