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Fuel to Feel Good

In January 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that a 2019 survey found that up to nine out of 10 people aren’t eating enough fruits and veggies. Data was based on the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, which included dietary data from over 290,000 adults aged 18 years or older living in the United States.

The survey found:

• Only 12.3% of adults reported meeting daily fruit requirements. This means roughly 88% are not eating enough fruit each day.

• Only 10% of adults said they met vegetable intake recommendations on a regular basis, meaning 90% could afford to up their vegetable intake.

Hispanic adults and those over 51 years old were found to consume the most produce (about 12% to 16% met recommendations), while males and adults with low incomes were found to consume the least (between 7% and 10% consumed enough produce daily).



What's the big deal?
Fruits and veggies are provide our body with vital nutrients like fiber, probiotics, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals. These nutrients allow our body to heal and thrive. It also provides our system a more alkaline environment, which helps prevent chronic disease and illness. The more "live" or nutrient dense food we eat, the more our body thrives. Simply, in order to feel good we need to fuel good.

5 Tips to Eat More Produce

1. Plan. Incorporate fruits and veggies into every meal. Smoothies and scrambles are a great way to incorporate fruits and veggies into breakfast, salads and sauteed veggies into lunch and dinner.

2. Prepare. Wash and pre-cut fruits and veggies to have grab and go options.

3. Shop in season. Maximize your budget by shopping for in-season produce. Frozen is the next best option.

4. Replace pasta and rice. There are many great vegetable options like zucchini noodles and riced cauliflower that can be consumed. Less starchy carbs and more nutrients. Win-win!

5. Supplement. Adding in a greens powder to your routine is a great extra for nutrients. You can add the greens powder to a smoothie or simply add liquid and drink! Greens are the superfood for the body.

Nourishing your body with "live" food equates to a well-feeling and happy body.
Besides, a little kale never hurt anyone.