This (title) is the awesome new slogan the government will be promoting in March to step up fruit and vegetable consumption.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Produce for Better Health Foundation (a nonprofit organization) are teaming up to develop this campaign.

   It will help correlate the new food guide pyramid into our lives, which includes specific measurements (such as cups) of foods instead of "servings" into our meals.  These new values are simpler to follow and are specific to each individual, taking into consideration one's gender, age, and activity levels.  Published jointly by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture the new pyramid is an improvement over the old one. 

   In order to simplify and expand our intake (of fruits and vegetables) we are ditching the old "5 A Day" rule.  Now, U.S. health officials are suggesting we just need to add more.  Typically, if we add a great deal more of these good things, we will consume less of the "bad things."  

   Currently, 90% of the U.S. population does not meet the government's recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption.  The average intake amounts to about two cups of broccoli.  The most popular veggie is the french fry.  Do you think these statistics correlate with the two-thirds of the population that is overweight?
 
   Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and energy.  They are well hydrated and will promote fullness as they slow down the digestion of other foods.  This is a good thing, you want food to "stick with you" and allow for a consistent energy throughout the day.  Have fruits and vegetables with every meal and between meals.  

      90 million Americans suffer from chronic diseases.  An increase of fruits and vegetables, as promoted by the World Health Organization, could save 2.7 million lives.  This consumption will help to decrease the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, certain cancers, micronutrient deficiencies, and combat obesity.
 
       Packed with phytochemicals, fruits and vegetables can act as antioxidants, stimulate detoxification  enzymes, stimulate the immune system, positively affect hormones, and act as antibacterial or antiviral agents.


                  
   Filling up on a very large (low calorie) salad may help you to cut calories at any given meal.  According to a study by Pennsylvania State University women who ate a large (three cups total) salad prior to their meal ate an average of 100 calories less compared to meals where no salad was served.  This is very significant.  For instance: if one ate a very large salad at both lunch and dinner for three weeks, that may lead to a reduction of 4200 calories.  Well over one pound of fat!

   Be sure your salads consist of low calorie vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, tomato, celery, cucumber, and limited amounts of reduced-calorie dressing.

   If you crave sweets, reach for fruit.  A new study conducted by Cornell Univesity suggests that the sweet tooth you may be sporting could, in fact, be satisfied by adding fruit to your diet.  Professor Brian Wansink, who lead the study, found that people who eat cakes and other sweets eat more fruit than people who prefer salty snacks like nuts and chips.  "I think it shows there is some hope for the typical dieter," he said. "... Maybe you're not just a sugar - eating machine - that there are some redeeming traits to your diet."

   Wansink said that this could be used to encourage the phase-in of more fruits among kids and other people with a sweet tooth.

   What about those of you who crave the salty snacks?  Incorporate veggies with low calorie dressings, vinegar, and other seasonings.  This will deter you from the high calorie chips and pretzels.  Be careful not to exceed the American Heart Association's recommendation of no more than 2300 milligrams of sodium a day.  This is about 1 tsp of salt.  

   Please check out my new book: "Ms. Muscles' Cookbook and Targeted Optimal Nutrition Guide" for great recipes and more information.