Unless you’re fasting or on a 100% carnivore diet, vegetables are part of your body’s daily nutritional need. This is because they supply such a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.
In order to feel and function at our best, it’s best to consume plenty of vegetables daily.
Take a few minutes and plan out how you can procure, prepare, and enjoy more veggies!
A few samples:
· Green beans are a good source of vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and potassium.
· Cabbage is high in vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, potassium, and fiber.
· Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins A and K, and potassium.
· Eggplant is high in fiber, potassium, manganese, and vitamin B1.
· Leeks are a good source of fiber, iron, and vitamins A and C, and they contain the cancer-fighting phytochemical diallyl sulfide.
· Okra provides vitamin C and the B vitamins, magnesium, lutein, and potassium.
· Peas pack plenty of protein, B vitamins, vitamins C and A, manganese, iron and potassium
· Peppers have lots of beta-carotene; vitamins B6, C, and A; and potassium.
· Summer squash is high in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and magnesium.
· Sweet potato is an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, and C, iron, fiber, and potassium.
Vegetables also supply phytonutrients – compounds that provide enormous health benefits to the body.
Phytonutrients are responsible for the vibrant colors found in vegetables and fruit, such as the red in tomatoes, peppers and watermelons, the orange in carrots/oranges, the purple in beets/pomegranates, and the blue in blueberries.
Phytonutrients are bioactive compounds that protect plants from bugs, fungi, radiation, and other threats.
Just as these natural chemicals help plants, phytonutrients help humans fight free radicals (unstable atoms that cause cell damage) in the body with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies show phytonutrients can also repair the brain, provide immune support, regulate hormones, support bones and teeth, skin/hair, the heart, decrease the chances of cancer, and have wide ranging anti-aging effects as well.
Your body absorbs vitamins and minerals more efficiently with the addition of good oils with your vegetables. Butter, olive and coconut oil are excellent healthy additions to extract more value while enhancing flavor as well.
The purpose here is to help your lifestyle match your aspirations for full and more vibrant health.
In order to get you to 100 in great style, make sure you take the steps necessary to ensure having your veggies regularly is a strong health habit!
Dr. Stan Gale
1920 Allesandro Street
Los Angeles, Ca. 90039
(323) 663-7736
