We are sure that at some point in life, everyone has heard someone say "Eat your fruits and vegetables".  Have you ever really stopped to think why?  A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has so many benefits.  People who eat more fruits and vegetables are likely to have less risk of chronic diseases, including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.  Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are so important for good health.  There is the added bonus of being naturally low in fat and calories as well as filling which will help maintain a healthy weight.  So why don't we eat more of them?

The average American eats just three servings of fruit and veggies a day (French fries probably don't count!)  However, the latest dietary guidelines call for five to thirteen servings (or two to six and a half cups) a day.  The federal government's "5 A Day" campaign has been changed to "Fruits and Veggies:  More Matters" in an effort to get Americans to eat more of the food that contributes to better health.

Fall is a perfect time of year to add more fruits and veggies to your family's diet.  Visit your local farmer's market to check out the summer's bounty.  Remember to think color because fruits and vegetables of different colors give your body a wider range of valuable nutrients.  And be sure to try something new.

It shouldn't be too difficult to add more of the good stuff to your daily food intake.  Do it for you and your family.  Research has suggested that children who see their parents eat more fruits and vegetables will likely do the same.  Try these tips to fit more fruits and vegetables into your day:

• Keep fruit out where you can see it.  You will be more likely to eat it if you see it.
• Eat some fruit or vegetables at every meal, every day.  Bonus points if you get some at snack time, too.
• Explore the produce aisle and choose something new.  Variety is the key to a healthy diet so don't get into a rut with the same old thing.
• Forget about the potatoes and choose other vegetables with more nutrients.
• Make it a meal.  Try some new recipes where vegetables are the main attraction.

Check out the following websites for more information on the value of eating more fruits and vegetables.  There is also a link to local farmers' markets.

http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/physicalactivity/F&V/brand.HTM          Http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/nutrition_for_everyone/fruits_vegetables/index.htm

http://www.ecommandos.com/farmers-markets.htm

According to Webster's Dictionary, nutrition is anything that nourishes; in other words, food.  It is also defined as the study of a proper, balanced diet to promote health, especially in human beings.  Sounds pretty simple, doesn't it?  Nutrition is good food that nourishes us and keeps us healthy. 

It is probably safe to say that everyone wants to be healthy and live life free of disease and disability to do the things they want to do.  Good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are two very important factors in achieving that goal.  Sounds not too difficult.  So why are the numbers of overweight people continuing to increase?  Why are chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease escalating?  One reason is that nutrition is not as good as it should be.  This is unfortunate because food choices made today (as well as other lifestyle choices) affect health and how you feel today and how you will feel in the future. 

In addition to unhealthy food choices, there is also the issue of too much food.  It seems many Americans are struggling to find the balance between food intake and physical activity.  However, it is basic math that if you eat 100 more calories a day than you burn, you will gain about one pound a month.  It doesn't take much food to add 100 calories to your daily intake and vice versa, it wouldn't take much to subtract 100 calories.  When considering nutrition, it would definitely help to remember that calories do count and are a critical piece of weight loss, weight management, and good health.  Too much food is not good nutrition.

Any discussion about nutrition would be incomplete without including the suggestion that you increase your intake of fruits and vegetables.  (French fries don't count!)  This is probably the best thing you can do to improve your nutrition and the benefits are tremendous.  And don't forget to increase your activity -- the other key to good health. 

We encourage you to use National Nutrition Month as a springboard to evaluate your eating habits and those of your family.  After all, awareness is the first step in changing behavior.  So sit back, and take an honest look at what and how much you are eating.  Better yet, keep a food diary for a week so you can easily see what good choices you are already making and where improvement is needed. 

Check out these websites to learn about nutrition and the health benefits of good nutrition.  It will be well worth your time. 

http://www.mypyramid.gov        http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/       http://www.eatright.org

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-diet/NU00200       http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-foods/NU00632

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calculator/NU00598/UPDATEAPP=0       http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/health/physicalactivity/index.htm