Get Smart with Fruits and Veggies!
Learn cost saving ideas for incorporating more fruits and veggies into your life with 5 tip sheets developed by the CDC.
September is Fruits & Veggies—More Matters Month®.
Produce for Better Health (PBH) and CDC have been working together to promote the theme for September 2008: "Get Smart with Fruits and Veggies."
Do any of the following apply to you:
- Always on the go?
- Taking care of kids and your family's health?
- Trying to learn more about adding fruits and veggies to your regular schedule?
- Interested in making and eating healthier meals without breaking the bank?
Well, look no further! CDC has developed 6 tip sheets that include information about how to add fruits and veggies as you shop, when you're on the go, when you prepare (or buy) your children's lunches and family dinners, and when you entertain. Best of all, these tip sheets are created with cost saving ideas in mind!
For tips on adding fruits and vegetables, see:
- In Your Family Dinner (
2 pages, 519KB) - As You Shop ( 2 pages, 480KB)
- also available as a text-only document ( 2 pages, 187KB)
- also available as a text-only document (
- Eating On the Go ( 2 pages, 403KB)
- Back to School ( 2 pages, 645KB)
- Entertaining ( 2 pages, 435KB)
Also see Fruits & Veggies Matter for information about why fruits and veggies are important, how many everyone should eat, and how eating fruits and veggies can help manage your weight. In addition, Fruits & Veggies More Matters®*, from the Produce for Better Health Foundation, offers many ideas, consumer advice and recipes. Remember, more matters!
Why Fruits and Vegetables?
Fruits and vegetables can protect your health. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Read more about the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables.
Is Fresh the Only Option?
No, not at all. In fact, all types of produce, including frozen, fresh and canned, count. When shopping, choose frozen or canned fruits and veggies without added sugar, syrup, cream sauces, or other ingredients that will add calories.
Looking to Manage Your Weight?
Fruits and vegetables are part of a well-balanced and healthy-eating plan. There are many different ways to maintain a healthy weight. Using more fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and lean meats, nuts, and beans is a safe and healthy one. For more information, read How to Use Fruits and Vegetables to Help Manage Your Weight and Eat More, Weigh Less?.
More Information
- Fruit & Veggies Matter
Check out the CDC's Fruit & Veggies Matter Web site for tips, recipes, and more! You can find easy ways to add more fruits and vegetables into your daily eating patterns. - Fruit & Vegetable Recipes
Find great recipes and ideas and create your own cookbook. - Fruits & Veggies More Matters®*
Produce for Better Health offers great ideas, tips for your shopping and for getting your family involved, and more recipes. - CDC's Nutrition Basics
While it's true that the fields of diet and nutrition are areas of evolving research, there are some basic concepts you can keep in mind. By knowing these basics, you will be better equipped to sort through nutrition and dietary information.
