7 Signs That You Aren’t Eating Enough Vegetables

7 Signs That You Aren’t Eating Enough Vegetables

The average diet of an American is lacking in just about every area of nutrition. Let’s look at something a basic as vegetables. We all know that vegetables play a vital role in proper nutrition. Along with a diet rich in whole grains and fruits, veggies can deliver the majority of the essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals needed for excellent health. Unfortunately, today’s Standard American Diet (its acronym is ‘SAD’ for a reason) is lacking in healthy vegetables. This is because we eat the same basic processed and sugar-filled diet that is becoming prevalent in most modern societies and cultures.

There wouldn’t be a problem if processed and fast foods delivered nutrition. However, they are lacking in most of the natural components and compounds your body needs to function properly.

With all the available produce at your local store, adding a few vegetables each day isn’t a huge change in diet. My crew loves to munch on raw peppers, celery, carrots and cherry tomatoes. We keep a baggie of each in the refrigerator and they are available to all the children at any time, without asking.

So, if any of the following signs sound familiar to you, you probably aren’t eating enough vegetables on a day-to-day basis.

You are tired all the time

– If your body does not get the wonderfully healthy phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins vegetables provide, your sleep cycle can be thrown off. This means you have a problem sleeping at night, and staying awake during the day.

You have problems regulating a healthy body weight

– If you are eating more processed foods than vegetables, you could be underweight, overweight or obese. Those conditions lead to more serious health problems, and can often be alleviated by eating more vegetables.

You experience regular digestive issues

– Vegetables are high in fiber. Because of this, they help to regulate your digestive system. Chronic bloating, upset stomach, gas, hemorrhoids, constipation and pains in your midsection can all be corrected with a healthy and steady dose of vegetables.

You are frequently stressed out, anxious or depressed

– Hormones regulate your moods and emotions. These hormones start acting up when you don’t eat right. A diet rich in vegetables gives your body all of the hormone-healthy nutrition it needs to help you handle stressful and high-anxiety situations correctly. You will also find you suffer fewer erratic mood swings when your diet includes a lot of vegetables.

You have been diagnosed with heart problems

– This could be due to family history and heredity. However, if your doctor tells you heart disease, stroke and heart attacks are on your horizon and there is no family history of these events, you need to begin eating more vegetables.

You are sick frequently

– A healthy immune system, your body’s natural defense system against infection and sickness, depends on a steady diet of the nutrients found in vegetables.

Your skin, hair and teeth are unhealthy

– A vegetable-rich diet leads to overall body health. Outward signs of a diet devoid of enough vegetables can include dry and damaged skin and hair, hair loss, scurvy and a multitude of dental problems.

Does any of these sound familiar? I can relate with more than I care to admit.

It’s easy to make a conscious effort to add several servings of vegetables to your daily routine. Toss on another spoonful of vegetables when at the salad bar. Prepare and carry around raw veggies with you to nibble on instead of those crackers and soda.

One of our favorite veggie dishes is so easy to make:

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium high. Add in 3 or 4 sliced (seeded) bell peppers, a handful of baby carrots sliced lengthwise, and a sliced onion. Gently toss to coat and then just allow to cook until the veggies are soft. It only takes a few minutes to cook but these are so good! Season with a little salt, pepper and your favorite seasonings. Someone at my house will be making this everyday. It is one of our of favorite snacks. I like to add sesame seeds and a couple of slices of sliced lunch meat or left over meat from the night before. Quick and easy is the name of the game when you are looking for ways to make changes.