If you’ve committed to leading a healthier lifestyle this year, small changes can have a big impact on your health over time. In fact, one of the best changes you can make today is to start increasing your daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

According to the CDC, we should eat at least two cups of fresh fruit and two to three cups of fresh vegetables every day. However, only about ten percent of Americans are meeting that requirement. That means 9 out of 10 people ー nearly 300-million Americans ー need to eat more fruits and veggies to live a healthy lifestyle. For many, that can seem like a daunting challenge, but luckily there are some easy changes you can make today to increase your daily fruit and veggie intake.

Snack Smart –

When it comes to snacks, we often choose the most convenient option, but not necessarily the healthiest. When we’re hungry and need something quick and satisfying, the first thing we tend to reach for is a bag of chips or a cookie. It’s quick and convenient, but definitely not the most nutritious.

You need to make sure healthy options are the most convenient snack when you’re craving something quick, so next time you’re grocery shopping, pick up a convenient pack of Cloud 9® Bite-Sized Fruity Tomatoes and Uno Bites™ Nano Cucumbers. With these one-bite, single-serving healthy options, you can snack until you’re satisfied without the guilt.

Eating healthy is just as important for kids as it is for adults. Bring healthy snacking veggies and fruit to the park, or make up a snack tray loaded with fresh options for movie night. By pairing these fun activities with nutritious options, your kids will soon learn how much fun healthy eating can be!

It’s always a good idea to have fresh, healthy snacks ready to go for those moments when you’re rushing out the door to school or swimming lessons. Mini Munchies® Snack Packs are a must for families trying to increase their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Each convenient pack contains a colorful variety of kids’ favorite snacking veggies for you to grab and go on your way out the door!

Shop With Variety In Mind –

One of the best things you can do when trying to increase your daily intake of fresh fruit and vegetables is to plan out all your meals for the week and aim to fill half your plate with fresh produce. 

Variety is the key to success. If you fill half your plate with spinach for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, you might not be able to stick to your new diet for very long, but with a fresh mix of tasty tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and fruit, you’ll keep everyone in your family excited about eating fresh. If you’re on a budget, Half Your Plate advises shoppers to pick fresh produce that’s in-season. Luckily, you can enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables year-round thanks to the latest innovative greenhouse technology that allows Pure Flavor® to grow the highest quality produce in every season.

From the smallest, sweetest snacking tomatoes like Sangria® Medley Tomatoes, to gourmet Craft House Collection® Shishito Peppers, to the first sustainable, greenhouse grown Solara™ Mini Melons, Pure Flavor® offers over 35 different fresh fruits and vegetables for your family to enjoy 365 days a year.

Refresh Recipes and Eat Outside the Box –

When writing your grocery list, think of all the different recipes you can make with your favorite fruits and veggies. Try different cuisines and styles and you’ll discover how versatile fresh ingredients are.

With one convenient 2 lb pack of Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers, you can enjoy their vibrant flavor in a different way every day. Start Monday morning by baking them in a delicious Sausage and Mini Pepper Frittata, mix them into a Kale Peanut Salad for lunch on Tuesday, slice some up on Wednesday for Pepper Steak Sandwiches, and so on. You can do the same with your favorite tomatoes, cucumbers, and fruit like Alonna™ Canary Melons, Solara™ Mini Melons, and Sweet Blooms® Strawberries. 

Think outside the box and see how many different kinds of meals and snacks you can make with the fresh ingredients you find in the produce aisle. Here are a few unique ideas to get
you started:

Even snacks that you think aren’t very healthy like ice cream can get a boost of nutrition from the right fresh ingredient, like this Island Ice Cream Bowl recipe. A great idea that will add to the fun of creating this recipe is to serve it in its very own melon bowl! Keep things fun by trying new recipes and you’ll be hitting your fruit and vegetable goals in no time!

For some more fresh ideas that will help you eat more fruits and vegetables, check out the latest healthy recipes here, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter.