In celebration of National Eat Your Vegetables Day (6/17), here is a reminder of the many benefits of including vegetables in your daily diet. Not only are vegetables a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but they also improve your health, especially as you age.[1] Vegetables can benefit digestive health, lower blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease, and even provide diabetes control.
The daily vegetable intake recommendation for those over 60 years old is about 2 to 3 cups of vegetables a day.[2] Supplementing your diet with both vegetables and fruit can also keep your eyes healthy as you age. Studies show that eating vegetables and fruit may prevent aging related eye diseases, like cataracts and macular degeneration.[3]
Food banks and farmers’ markets are a great place to get your nutrient filled vegetables. Click here for a list of food banks in Contra Costa County. Click here for a list of farmers’ markets in the county.
[1] https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-vegetables
[2] https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/vegetables
[3] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vegetables-and-fruits/