Florida's Volusia County Implements Plan to Reduce Obesity, Increase Fruits and Vegetables Consumption

According to a news release, the Volusia County (Florida) Health Department has teamed up with the Florida Department of Health Obesity Prevention Program and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to teach residents of Volusia County to become more health conscience.

Two agencies, the Volusia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Health Obesity Prevention Program is taking the initiative to get residents of Volusia County to become more health conscience by urging them to eat more fruits and vegetables. By making them aware of the benefits of a healthier lifestyle this will help prevent heart disease, help control cholesterol levels as well as diabetes, and lower the chances of some cancers.

Although the changes do not happen immediately, if you start to make different choices on the foods you eat as well as about the exercise you get, in a week or so you should start to feel the effects. Eating a low fat, low cholesterol diet that includes at least five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits is the ingredients to a healthy life style.

The Volusia County Health Department has a chart that shows exactly what kids and adults should eat daily to keep their diet healthy. Children between 2 and 3 should eat 1 1/2 cups of vegetables and 1 cup of fruits. Children between 4 and 8 should eat 2 cups of vegetables and 1 1/2 cups of fruit. Teen girls, children between the ages of 9-13, and adult women all should have 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, and 2 cups of fruit. Teen boys and adult men should have 3 1/2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits. Although any amount of vegetables and fruits are good for you, eating this amount ensures a healthy daily diet.

There are many ways to meet your recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables by eating fruits that are pureed such as berries, apples, peaches, pears that can be used as a sauce on grilled or broiled fish or poultry. You can also use the puree to pour over pancakes, waffles, muffins, even as an icing for cakes.You can also use pureed fruits like applesauce, prunes, bananas, or peaches in place of sugar when making homemade breads, muffins, pancakes, and other desserts that need sugar. Another good suggestion by the Volusia County Health Department is to use a slice of pineapple or apple on a sandwich just as you would a tomato or lettuce. Use your imagination when it comes to eating healthy. And remember we eat with our eyes first, then with our mouths.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of fruits and vegetables, please visit the Obesity Prevention Program, Fruits and Veggies Matter, or the Produce for Better Health Foundation. You can also learn more about a healthier lifestyle by going to the American Heart Association.

SOURCE : Volusia County Health Department Recognizes September As Fruits & Veggies - More Matters® Month
http://www.volusiahealth.com/moreArticle.asp?ID=716