Benefits of fruit and vegetables

The purpose of this book is to create an awareness for the reader about the importance of eating fruits an vegetables. It focuses on showing the reading the benefits of adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet. The author includes several recipes towards the end of the book.
The second chapter focuses solely on defining what is a fruit, in both the botanical and in layman's terms. Here the author discusses the importance of eating fruits; what benefits fruit has in preventing diseases, and maintaining a healthy digestive and cardiovascular systems. The author lists the three basic types of fruits as: simple fruit, aggregate fruit and multiple fruit. You will be surprise to find out how many things are truly fruits.

The third chapter focuses solely on defining what is a vegetable, both in botanical and in layman's terms. There is a brief history on how and when some food was classified as vegetables. The author lists the various ways some fruits and vegetables are interchangeable. The next chapter is dedicated to identifying and discussing the healthy benefits of fruits and vegetables, such as antioxidants, vitamins, folate and potassium as well as a natural source for fiber. There is information on how to get the best nutrients from your fruits and vegetables; what green verse red color fruits and vegetables have in common and what they contribute to your health and body functions.

Chapter five narrows the scope of the benefits of fruits and vegetables to the critical role they play in your diet, energy levels and health. There is information on specific nutrients; which fruits and vegetables have antioxidants; which contain and the role of phytochemicals; which contain and the role of lycopene and resveratrol. Chapter six is dedicated to suggested servings of fruits and vegetables. This section is very helpful in determining just how much is needed on a daily base and how to mix and match your fruits and vegetables for the best results. The next chapter looks at making fruits and vegetables an interesting part of every meal. There are suggestions on ideal recipes; how to encourage and increase of intake of fruits and vegetables; and ways of enhancing everyday recipes with fruits and vegetables.

This chapter is followed by a chapter detailing the importance of cleaning and how to clean your fruits and vegetables; what to save and eat; and suggestions on proper tools for cleaning. The author discusses cooking methods to retain the maximum nutrient value of fruits and vegetables. There are several suggestions on what cooking tools and utilizes are best and why. Chapter ten looks at the various ways to use fruits and vegetables, such as making vinegars, wines, juices, oils, jams, jellies, marmalades, and soup stock. There is information on the importance and role of dried fruits and vegetables; the role some play in medicines; and in other day to day uses. Chapter eleven is focused on the use of fruits and vegetables for their nutritional value.

In this chapter the author provides detailed information on how to make great choices of fruits and vegetables and includes five important tips to follow. The next chapter is dedicated to the color food guide. Here the author discussed and lists the benefits of foods by their color, such as red fruits and vegetables are good for your heart; green colored fruits and vegetables are good for digestion and allow for better absorption of vitamins and nutrients; yellow or orange fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin C and support the immune system; purple and blue colored fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and contain large amounts of phytochemicals; and white colored fruits and vegetables are good for reducing cholesterol levels and good for the heart.

In Part three, the first section provides a list of types of fruits and vegetables. It is followed by a section on how to buy fruits and vegetables on a budget. The author lists a variety of resources such as local farms, co-ops, farmer's markets as alternative resources for fresh fruits and vegetables. Information on how to get the best buys a supermarkets and grocery stores is also included in this section. The next section focuses on how to pick fresh fruits and vegetables at a store. The author provides detailed information on how to determine if a fruit/vegetable is ripe and/or if a fruit/vegetable will continue to ripen if taken home.

This chapter is follow up with a chapter on how to read labels on fruits and vegetables, such as how to read bar codes, PLUs, additional four digit codes, and five and nine digit codes. There is information on how to determine the best from organic farms and what is the legal definition of organic. The last part of the book is dedicated to preparation methods for fruits and vegetables. The author provides additional information on cleaning supplies, recipes, keeping fruits/vegetable fresh and safe to eat, and refrigeration tips. Do you know what single veggie will fight diabetes? Or what fruit to eat to give you softer, smoother skin? If not, read my book and find out.