Did you resolve to live a healthier life in 2020? One of the biggest steps you can take toward that goal is to follow a healthy diet. But where do you start?

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah wants you to understand the importance of eating a healthy diet, as well as steps you can take to fit more fruits and vegetables into your diet on a daily basis.

How Does Eating Unhealthy Take a Toll on Our Health?

While you might not think that eating unhealthy does much to your overall health, it can actually take a toll, particularly over time. For instance, when you make unhealthy food choices, you can become more tired, irritated and stressed throughout the day.

For the long-term effects of unhealthy eating, you can put yourself at risk for being overweight, having high blood pressure and experiencing tooth decay, among many other hazards.

Benefits of Healthy Eating

• Weight loss
• Reduced cancer risk
• Diabetes management
• Heart health and stroke prevention
• Strong bones and teeth
• Better mood
• Improved memory

What Can I Do to Get More Fruits and Vegetables Into My Daily Diet?

It is recommended that you have four servings of fruits and five servings of vegetables on a daily basis. The key to getting in more fruits and vegetables into your diet is to add at least one new fruit and/or veggie into your already favorite meal.

For example, if you are cooking chicken teriyaki for dinner, add some peppers or even pineapple to the dish. Or if you are having pasta, add some tomatoes! Snacks are also a great way to get in more fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

Serving Sizes for Fruits & Veggies

• 1 medium apple, peach or orange
• Half of a medium avocado
• A half-inch thick wedge of melon
• ¹⁄₄ of a medium pineapple
• Half of a large bell pepper
• 5 florets of broccoli or cauliflower
• Half of a medium potato or half of a large sweet potato
• 1 small ear of corn

Not feeling at your best? Schedule an AFC TeleCare appointment with AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah today for a medical evaluation and treatment plan.