Going "green" the healthy way

A growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health.

To get the amount that is recommended, most people will need to increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. For the day-to-day lives of many people, eating healthy has become an afterthought; however, fruits and vegetables are a natural source of energy and give the body many nutrients people need to keep going throughout the day.

According to the Produce for a Better Health Foundation, low-fat diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Many people do not realize however, that the color of the foods they eat can play a part in their overall health.

"Eating red fruits and vegetables is good for you, they provide powerful antioxidants and lycopene," said Jason Sparrow, an incoming ECU nutrition and dietetics major.

However, Sparrow stated that he was not aware of the health importance of green vegetables-like many young college students.

Sophomore communications major Stacey Hart shares these sentiments.

"I was just always told to eat my broccoli and peas; as a kid I just thought it was gross, not healthy," said Hart.

The benefits of green vegetables are two-fold: they provide nutrients as well as antioxidants to maintain and promote good health. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, bok choy and brussels sprouts have been studied for their role in protecting against breast and prostate cancer.

Green, leafy vegetables and fruits such as kale, peas, spinach and kiwi are known for containing lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants that help to maintain good vision health. In many cases, the deeper and darker the color of the fruit or vegetable, the greater the amount of nutrients it contains. For example, spinach offers eight times more vitamin C than iceberg lettuce. There are numerous green fruits and vegetables that college students can add to their daily diet to improve your health and many are available at your local supermarket.

Avocados, green apples, green grapes, honeydew, kiwifruit, limes, green pears, artichokes, arugula, chard and other cooking greens offer calcium for strong bones and teeth. Due to the warm weather, many of these healthy treats are readily available at open-air and flea markets.

Though going green in your diet is important, it is also important to eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables everyday. When choosing your meals, think color and variety to promote a healthy balance of nutrition. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables is a part of healthy living. Vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber, foliate, potassium and phytochemicals; all of which the body needs to maintain good health and energy levels, protect against the effects of aging and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

So go green this summer, and take strong strides to improving your health.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.