- The U.S. government used to recommend five servings a day of fruits and vegetables (5aday.gov). Today, the government's food pyramid emphasizes that the number of vegetables you should eat depends on your activity level and calorie needs.
- The Centers for Disease Control suggests that for optimum nutrition, you should eat vegetables from every color group, including dark green leafy vegetables, yellow squash, orange sweet potatoes, dark foods such as black beans and eggplant, and red vegetables like tomatoes.
- Most vegetables are high in important nutrients such as minerals and vitamins as well as dietary fiber. With a few exceptions, vegetables are also low in fat.
- According to the CDC, eating fruits and vegetables is an important strategy for maintaining a healthy weight. Vegetables are low in fat and calories but help you feel full.
- A few vegetables, such as avocados and olives, do contain significant amounts of fat. The fat they contain is unsaturated and heart-healthy, but those watching their calorie consumption should eat these fatty vegetables in moderation.
