FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND YOU!
Why is it important to eat fruit and vegetables?
Rich in vitamins and nutrients, fruit and vegetables make up the basis of a healthy diet. In fact, they are our fountain of youth, so it’s hard to understand how so many of us can resist these natural miracle foods. But sadly, we do. The hard facts tell us that 70% of the US population – that’s seven out of every ten Americans – fail to meet the minimum recommendation of five servings a day. This leaves us overfed and undernourished, causing a variety of health problems. Adding more fruit and veggies to your meals will dramatically help your body fight disease, boost your energy and trim your waistline.
How do I add more fruit and vegetables to my diet?
There are several easy ways to put more natural goodness into all your meals. If you’re willing to try something new, you can have a lot of fun doing it too. All it takes is a little planning:
· Drink your fruit by making smoothies and freshly squeezed juices. The combinations of ingredients you can use are endless, and in many cases, these drinks are so filling that they make a good substitute for an entire meal. Try using a high-powered blender to make thick tropical cocktails like pineapple-orange- banana. For something simpler, a hand-operated citrus juicer is all you need to make delicious, cheap and naturally sweet orange juice.
· Eat more veggies by starting one meal a day with a small salad. And instead of the usual iceberg lettuce, try making a spinach salad. After all, the darker the greens, the more nutrient-rich they are.
· Add peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms or onions to your scrambled eggs or anywhere else you can think of, such as in pasta sauces, soups and sandwiches.
· For dessert, how about frozen bananas and grapes? If you have an extra sweet tooth, you can dip the bananas into melted dark chocolate before you freeze them. Otherwise, strawberries dipped in dark chocolate are also a delicious, guilt-free treat.
· Never leave the house without a healthy snack such as a small bag of dried apricots, apples or cranberries. To avoid keeping the rest of the family waiting, always keep your fresh fruits and vegetables sliced, well-packed and ready to go.
But just remember, to maximize their nutritional value, it is recommended that fruit and veggies are soaked for 20 minutes in a mixture of water and white vinegar. This will not only keep them fresh, but will also remove all dirt, insects and bacteria.
11: The information sheet implies that fruit and vegetables
A. keep you feeling and looking young
B. are not recommended for everyone
C. are liked by many people
D. are less effective than medication for fighting disease
12: According to the first paragraph, how many Americans eat enough fruit and vegetables?
A. 30% of the population B. 10% of the population
C. 5% of the population D. 70% of the population
13: What does the author mean when he says This leaves us overfed and undernourished in paragraph 1?
A. We need to eat more in order to fight disease B. We can survive on fruit and vegetables alone.
C. We eat too much unhealthy food. D. We don’t take our health seriously.
14: How does the information sheet describe the process of adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet?
A. as enjoyable B. as time-consuming C. as complicated D. as educational
15: The information sheet says that many freshly made fruit drinks can a meal.
A. replace B. improve C. go with D. transform
16: Why is spinach mentioned?
A. to explain that it is the most nutritious vegetable of all
B. as a tastier alternative to lettuce
C. to explain that darker vegetables are healthier
D. as an ingredient for a recipe
17: Which of the following is closest in meaning to treat in paragraph 6?
A. recipe B. need C. meal D. luxury
18: What is one time-saving tip mentioned in the information sheet?
A. preparing fruit and vegetables before putting them away
B. using a blender rather than a hand-operated juicer
C. buying pre-washed fruit and vegetables
D. soaking fruit and vegetables in water and vinegar
19: The information sheet emphasizes that fruit and vegetables should be well.
A. dried B. cleaned C. cooked D. sliced
20: What is the main purpose of this information sheet?
A. to make recommendations about how to eat more healthily with less money
B. to offer advice on how to eat more healthily
C. to convince people to become vegetarians
D. to provide recipes which include more fruits and vegetables
