Fruits and vegetables are recognized as the healthiest type of food there is! However, there are some things we commonly hear about fruits & veggies that have been thought as fact but may not be entirely true. I'm here to sort these myths out for you ….
Myth 1: Fresh is best
Not one form—fresh, frozen, canned, dried —of fruit or vegetable is better for you than another! Fruits and vegetables in all forms are full of essential nutrients. Whether you like fresh or dried, the most important thing is that you eat your fruits & veggies! However, if you are buying canned be sure it's in it's own juice NOT syrup and be wary of too much dried fruit as it contains extra sugars.
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Myth 2: Juice should be avoided
Consuming 100% juice is nutritious for you and is certainly a convenient and tasty part of a healthy diet! However, drinking all of your fruits and veggies doesn’t cut it either. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends consuming 4-6 ounces of 100% juice per day for children 1-6 years old and 8-12 ounces per day for children 7-18 years old. For adults, 4-8 ounces per day as juice is a reasonable amount. I recommend juicing your own fruit to make sure there are no added sugars or extra ingredients.
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Myth 3: Pesticides cause behavioral issues in children
The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables outweigh any risk associated with consuming fruits and vegetables grown with pesticides. The right balance of nutrients is particularly critical for growing children, as certain areas of bodily development only get one chance to get it right … for life. Just make sure you are washing your fruit and veggies throughly.
Myth 4: Organic is more nutritious
Organic fruits and vegetables have not been proven to be more nutritious for you than traditionally harvested fruits and vegetables.
Myth 5: Potatoes and other starchy vegetables are fattening
When potatoes are drenched in butter, deep-fried, or oozing with bacon and high-fat cheeses, then of course extra fat and calories can be detrimental. But a plain medium potato can actually aide in weight loss/maintenance. Potatoes are an excellent source for vitamins C and B6, a good source for fiber (which keeps your stomach satisfied longer) and manganese, AND are one of the best sources for potassium in the diet! Choose sweet potatoes and yams if possible as they have even more nutrients than white potatoes.
5 more myths to come....stay tuned....
