Express Grocery

Fruit and vegetables are part of a healthy, balanced diet and can help you stay healthy. It's important that you eat enough of them. Evidence shows there are significant health benefits to getting at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day.

Okay, so not in the glow in the dark sense. Boy, that would be freaky, wouldn it? By glow, I mean it helps make your skin look positively glorious. Remember those free radicals we just talked about a minute ago? Well, they play a major role in making us age less gracefully. The antioxidants in fruit help combat that, while the water content hydrates our skin from the inside out. Beyond that, though, fruits with healthy fats, like avocados, can actually help prevent sun damage. Of course, you still need to wear sunscreen, but its always nice to have a little extra backup when it comes to fighting UV rays. Fruits rich in vitamin C are also great for your skin, as they help your body produce more collagen.

Different fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients. The Australian dietary guidelines recommend that adults eat at least five kinds of vegetable and two kinds of fruit every day. A national nutrition survey conducted by the Australian Government showed that Australians of all ages do not eat enough vegetables and fruit. Children have a smaller stomach capacity and higher energy needs than adults. They cannot eat the same serving sizes as adults. However, you should encourage your children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. By eating well, your children will have the energy they need to play, concentrate better, learn, sleep better and build stronger teeth and bones. Building good habits in their early years can also provide the protection of a healthy diet throughout their lives. The Australian dietary guidelines have recommendations on how many vegetables and fruits adults, children and adolescents of different ages require.

Sodium, carbonation, constipation, and excess air (due to eating too fast) can all lead to a bloated belly. A healthy diet that limits sodium and high-sugar carbonated drinks promotes a flatter stomach. High-fiber foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) reduce constipation. Slower eating not only makes you more mindful of what you are putting into your mouth, but it also reduces the excess air you swallow that leads to bloating.

Foods that are good for your heart Eat fish high in omega-3s, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and trout. A handful of healthy nuts such as almonds or walnuts will satisfy your hunger and help your heart. Berries are chock full of heart-healthy phytonutrients and soluble fiber. Try blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or raspberries in cereal or yogurt.