September is National Fruits & Veggies Month™
Author: be well™ with Big Y® Registered Dietitian Team
There’s no right or wrong way to Have A Plant®. Keep it simple, affordable and delicious!
Registered Dietitian, Carrie Taylor, invites you to eat one more fruit and vegetable for Fruits & Veggies Month.
The juiciness of a ripe Granny Smith apple, the crisp crunch of a garden-fresh carrot, the savory undertone of frozen kale in morning eggs or the subtle sweetness of canned pineapples added to cottage cheese—there’s something about fruits and veggies that takes any dish higher.
During the month of September, produce lovers are invited by the Produce for Better Health Foundation to hail all there is to love about your favorite fruits and vegetables AND Have A Plant® by pledging to add one fruit and/or vegetable to your daily routine.
Just One More!
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans found most Americans miss the mark when it comes to meeting recommendations for these delectably-tasting nutrition powerhouses: 80% under-consume fruit and 90% under-consume vegetables.¹
The issue with the average intake of fruits and vegetables isn’t necessarily knowledge, since most of us know eating fruits and vegetables will help us feel our best.² The barrier to eating enough fruits and vegetables seems to be the perception of appealing to the tastes of the whole family, lacking culinary skills and physical limitations.²
Those who consume the most fruits and vegetables, though, cite the same barriers but have a more positive outlook on overcoming barriers.
This means, your ability to add one more fruit and vegetable to your day is all about your perception of success. The power is completely in your hands (or mind!)—How awesome is that?
The Easy Answer: Keep It Simple
When it comes to getting more fruits and veggies into your meals, the simple answer is the easy answer. It doesn’t matter if you choose fresh, frozen, canned, 100% juice or dried fruits and vegetables—all forms fit for meeting daily goals. Which is great for managing your meal prep time, food budget and flavors in meals.
Whether it’s a local Macintosh apple smashed into sauce or frozen broccoli added to pasta, the choice is yours. Just remember: Whenever you’re eating…Have A Plant®!
Want a little nudge and a plenty of inspiration to get you started?
Take the Have A Plant® Pledge at the Produce for Better Health Foundation’s webpage.
¹ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. December 2015. Available at: http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/.
² Produce for Better Health Foundation. Primary Shoppers’ Attitudes and Beliefs Related to Fruit & Vegetable Consumption, 2012-2016.
Published 9/12/2022