Do You Eat Enough Vegetables?

Did you know that only 4% of Australian adults are meeting the recommended 5-6 serves of vegetables per day?
Our dietitian Aleisha explains the benefits of going back to basics and adding more veggies onto your plate!

Now, I know what you’re thinking – another dietitian talking about the importance of vegetables! BUT, stay with me on this one. With only 4% of us meeting the recommended serves per day, I think it’s a great place to start and it may just be the single best thing you can do to improve your health.

So, to get started – what does a serve actually look like?

An official serve of vegetables can be:

• • ½ cup cooked vegetables
  • 1 cup leafy greens
  • ½ cob of corn
  • 1 small potato
  • 1 small tomato
  • ½ cup cooked or canned legumes

Now, most of us know that vegetables are good for us BUT why do we actually need them and what happens when we do meet the recommended serves per day?

1. 1. We get more fibre, which helps our gut to function better and helps to speed up our metabolism
   2. Our risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia and even some cancers drop significantly
   3. We are less likely to get sick as our immunity system is stronger
   4. We get a boost in our energy and our mood!
   5. Our skin looks healthier due to an increase in antioxidants, nutrients and hydration
   6. Our weight is easier to manage
      

Not a fan of vegetables? Remember to start small, aim for 2 -3 serves per day and work your way up!

Unsure how to start? Remember to make vegetables enjoyable to eat! Choose the vegetables you actually enjoy, try different salad mixes, frozen varieties and make sure you include dressing!

If you’re looking for some practical ways to add more vegetables into your day, book an appointment with our Dietitian Aleisha. Booking can be done online, anytime from our booking page.