Thinking of going plant-based this year?
You will always get the label that you are eating like a rabbit. Just fruit and vegetables. It isn't the case. They are essential and should be a major must in our diets. Often they are neglected as our eyes are stomach's are drawn to the sugary, processed options.
A lot of people think it is extremely difficult to fall in love with fruit and veg, they are the last things that are left on everyone's plates. People don't often realise the massive role they play in keeping our bodies fighting fit. It isn't about be fussy or a picky eater. Demonising processed and starchy foods isn't the case either. We all love a cheat, we all love a treat or two and that is good too.
Although each fruit or vegetable has its own set of nutrients that makes it unique and beneficial to mankind, there are a few common nutrients that most of these fruits and vegetables contain. Therefore, here is the list of some of the most essential nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables that are highly needed by your body.
Iron
Calcium
Vitamins
Fiber
Folate
Protein
Magnesium
Potassium
Sodium
Phytonutrients
Antioxidants
Here are a few fruit and veg that if you knew their benefits you may be willing to add to your diets:
An Apple
The proverb saying, “An apple a day keeps a doctor away” is justified as this nutrient-packed fruit has many health benefits. Here are the top 5 benefits of eating apple.
Boosts digestive system
Controls diabetes
Good for your heart
Improves cognitive functioning
Grapes
I personally love the grapes and you will too after knowing its health benefits. Therefore, here are 5 most important of them.
Regulates your blood pressure
Reduces the problem of constipation
Treats asthma
Strengthen your bones
Prevent cavities
Papaya
Many individuals run away from eating papaya but trust me you will love it after knowing its health benefits. It is extremely juicy and great for your system.
Boosts your digestive system
Eases menstrual pain
Fights inflammation
Prevents diabetes
Protection against skin damages
Pineapple
If you have deficiency of vitamin and manganese in body then start eating pineapples from today. Well yes, pineapples have many health benefits and top 5 of them are mentioned below.
Protects your heart
Relieves you of asthma
Lowers cancer risk
Improves bone health
Improves the digestive system
Peach
With highly cultivated in China, peaches are symbolic of immortality and longevity. It is a summer fruit that has many health benefits. 5 of which are mentioned here.
Good for digestion
Strengthens your nervous system
Detoxifies your body
Improves cellular health
Treats blood stasis
Berries
I love berries specially the black ones. They are delicious to taste as well as contains various nutrients that can help your body fight several diseases. Here are top 5 health benefits of berries.
Regulates blood glucose and insulin levels
Reduce inflammation
Fights oxidative stress
Good for your brain
Protects your heart
Broccoli
Belonging to the cabbage family, broccoli is another superfood that you cannot afford to miss. You may eat it raw, steamed or boiled to get its medicinal benefits.
Good for your bones
Cure allergies
Improves eyes
Treats diabetes
Good for your heart
Sweet potato
Sweet potato also known as yam is a tuberous crop with lobed or heart shaped leaves. Available in various colors of red, purple, pale yellow, white, sweet potato is highly nutritious and has many health benefits.
Promotes healthy weight gain (favourable for skinny people)
Treats bronchitis
Prevents dehydration
Relieves you of HIV virus infection
Heals stress and keep you relaxed
Eggplant
Loaded with fiber and potassium, eggplants are a common item in every household. Although technically a fruit, it is used as a vegetable in our daily lifestyle. The health benefits of eggplants are many out of which here I have mentioned 5 of them.
Controls high cholesterol levels
Prevents anemia
Birth defect prevention
Good for throat problems
Treats stomach issues
Lettuce
Lettuce contains calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamins, dietary fiber etc. all of which are extremely beneficial for human body. Therefore, lettuce has many health benefits and you must definitely try it.
Protects neuronal cells
Improves body metabolism
Treats insomnia
Controls anxiety
Reduces the risk of breast cancer
Beets
This root vegetable is extremely healthy and belongs to the “chenopodiaceae” family. It is rich in vitamins, iron, fiber, copper, phosphorous etc that resolves many health issues faced by an individual.
Controls high blood pressure
Fights inflammation
Boosts your energy levels and improves performance
Treats gallbladder disorders
Prevent cataract
There are of course MANY more fruit and vegetables that have SO many great nutrients. I think people forget how powerful fruit and veg are in combatting health problems. We are all quick to pop an over-the counter vitamin tablet but why aren't we so keen in trying to get our vitamin from the core sources? We can easily begin adding in more fruit and veg into our diets and depending on the health problem you are suffering with you can tailor your diet to work best for you. There is never one diet that is right for everyone. We are all unique, all going through different things and it is important to work out what works for you.
People often think cutting out meat or going vegan means they are making a healither choice and even though it is a good start, eating processed meat-alternatives, still buying ready meals and eating veggie junk food: burgers and so on isn't really making a positive change. Knowing the fruits ad vegetables, cooking from fresh. Picking better carbs that are less refined products is what it is all about. Cooking isn't a massive chore, it can be super enjoyable and it doesn't take hours to make great foods. We wouldn't have top chefs selling best selling books cooking up 15 minutes meals and so on if it wasn't possible.
Learning to cook isn't difficult either, following step by step recipes and starting with simple recipes will make it a lot easier but making the shift will help you feel so much better and anyone suffering with a chronic illness, knowns that ALL we want is to feel better through natural methods if we can. Treating at home, so we can still live and enjoy life. It isn't a switch you can switch on and off when making big diet changes. Though after a short while I think people do begin to feel better and then it is easier to keep up the fresh cooking, using great, fresh products and we feel less swayed by processed alternatives.
Make small changes and see how you feel I would be interested if people could share their own experiences with their diet & illness, how they learnt to cook, go to recipes and how eating more plant-based has helped you. I hope you find this post useful and help explains the benefits a little more. It is far more than just 'eating like a rabbit.'
Sophie
xoxo