Haven’t we heard everyone – from our mothers and nutritionists to everyone else – say that fruits and veggies are essential for health? It’s all for a reason! But the unfortunate part is that most of us do not get the recommended amount of fruits and veggies. For the unversed, two cups of fruit and 2.5-3 cups of veggies must be consumed every day.
Why is it that fruits and veggies are so important? Well, it is said that the more colourful your plate, the healthier it is. They are packed with a range of nutrients to improve your health. Not only do they taste amazing, but also contribute to your growth and development.
But what if you miss out on them? Here are a few things that could happen to your body.
1. Your body might lack fibre
We already know that fruits and veggies are packed with fibre, and especially their peels, we’d say. If you are someone who eats meat and fat all the time, try to balance your diet with fresh produce in the form of apples, kiwi, cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, and berries. Moreover, fruits and veggies generally contain high water content, so as to prevent bloating and promote hydration in your body.
2. Your skin looks dull
Both fruits and veggies are high in antioxidants, and work well for your skin. Not only do they reduce acne and redness, but also dry spots. But if you consume a balanced diet, you will get clear and soft skin. The action of antioxidants helps prevent ageing, and decreases the appearance of wrinkles.
3. You may suffer from a deficiency of vitamins and minerals
Most vitamins, including A, C and K are found in foods that are yellow, red, orange and green. This means you can get your dose of nutrients from bell peppers, kiwi, melon, citrus fruits, apples and leafy greens. So, if you don’t eat enough, you could lower your immunity, affect eye health, deplete your brain cells and cause fatigue.
4. Your nails and hair might suffer
We might believe that it isn’t important, but not getting enough nutrients can also cause brittle nails and limp hair? That’s because your hair and nails need a sufficient amount of antioxidants, vitamin A and E, biotin, iron and other nutrients to grow.