I don’t like veggies. Can I eat fruit instead?
Fruit’s a good substitute, but not a perfect one. Both vegetables and fruit can give you the vitamins, fiber and cancer-fighting antioxidants you need to stay healthy. But fruit tends to be higher in natural sugars than vegetables—and therefore higher in calories, which can add up. It’s also difficult to get enough folate and calcium (found in dark, leafy greens such as spinach and broccoli) through fruit alone. So taking a calcium supplement (500 to 1,000 mg a day) is a good idea. For the record, some of the most nutrient-dense fruits include berries, mangoes, cherries, citrus fruits, apples, bananas, pears, tomatoes and avocados (yes, those last two are also fruits). While still good for you, fruits with a high water content, like honeydew and grapes, have less nutritional value. But before you give up on vegetables, branch out. Walk through the aisles of your grocery store and I bet you’ll find something appealing.
Email This Post
Mar 28th 2008 at 1:21 am
Hey, there is a good tasting greens product (sorry for it sounding self promotional) out there as a supplement that lets you get your salad nutrients in a simple daily drink. One small serving is the equivalent of eight salads.