There are so many corny sayings for it they tend to just blur together; an apple a day keeps the doctor away, you are what you eat; man does not live by bread alone, etc. The funny thing is that they are actually true. Try to survive on bread and you’ll blow up like a balloon, and eating an apple each day will give you fiber, vitamins, and minerals to help avoid doctor visits.
The phrase “you are what you eat” is true as well; those who eat well and avoid things that are bad for them such as processed sugar and fried foods will reflect this in how they look. Individuals who avoid fatty, fried foods are usually in much better shape with little to no visible body fat. Those who avoid processed sugar usually have clear skin and eyes and are typically less sluggish than those who indulge in processed sugar on a regular basis.
Getting children used to eating their fruits and vegetables at an early age will help them to carry the habit through to adulthood. Those who are allowed to be picky eaters when they are small will carry that through to adulthood as well; I know a man who was allowed to eat no vegetables other than corn while he was growing up. Guess what? That’s the only vegetable he would eat as an adult; and it had to be from the can, not on the cob, nor cream style. Once a fast food attendant accidentally added lettuce to his taco; he just about had a fit about the lettuce juice getting on his taco (“you mean water?” I replied dryly).
Fruits and vegetables are some of the most important parts of the human diet. They provide us with various vitamins that help to protect our cells from becoming damaged, help our bodies to produce the energy we need to make it through the day, and help to regulate tissue growth and cell regeneration. Fruits and vegetables also provide the minerals we need to make our teeth strong, keep our bones strong, and also helps the oxygen we breathe to get from our lungs into the rest of our body. Both vegetables and fruits also contain fiber which our body needs to keep constipation at bay and keep our blood cholesterol levels lower. Those who consume fiber in their diets are helping to keep type-2 diabetes away, lower the risks of colon cancer and obesity.
As we age, consuming fruits and vegetables will become a necessity. Guess what happens when you age and are consuming too much sugar and starches? Your eyes start to fail, becoming blurry. Parts of your body can swell and become uncomfortable (for me, it was my knees). You will develop digestive issues such as hemorrhoids, constipation, and possibly diverticulosis. Your risk of cancer increases, (fruits and veggies contain antioxidants). You may develop diabetes, which will require constant medication or even injections.
The list of complications from a bad diet is long; high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, these are just some of the complications that can arise from not having enough fruits and vegetables. The idea is to get those young ones eating right while they can still form good habits that will carry them through a healthy life. And who knows? Feeding your children the right foods may encourage you to eat healthier as well.
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