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Which are the most nutritious fruits and vegetables? Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist The most popular fruits and vegetables are not
necessarily the ones with the most health-giving nutrients. Many people have now got the ?five a day? message when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables. But, according to Dr Susie Nanney, a dietitian at Saint Louis University in the US, we still need more information. Because the choice of those five servings is important too. Corn, potatoes, iceberg lettuce, apples and bananas are the most popular fruit and vegetables ? but they are not the ones that are best for our health. When it comes to vitamins and fiber, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and yellow or orange fruits and vegetables are best. Dr Nanney suggests thinking in terms of color when making your produce selection. For white, cauliflower scores over potatoes, onions or mushrooms when it comes to nutrients. Add darker lettuces like romaine or red leaf, to salads and include spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts ? all dark green. For yellow, go for carrots, winter squash, sweet potato, cantaloupe melon, oranges and grapefruit rather than corn or bananas. And when it comes to red, tomatoes, red peppers and strawberries are better choices than apples. That?s not to say you shouldn?t go for your favorites ? apples are still good for you! But widening the range of produce you eat can improve your diet still more. Source |
