I'm not much of a gambler, but I'd bet that most of us, me included, don't eat enough vegetables. And it's probably been that way for most of our lives.
I wondered if it was just me, so I looked it up. According to the CDC, only about 1 in 10 adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables. That's 2 to 3 cups a day for most of us. Getting there takes a plan. It doesn't happen by accident.
Here's what I believe after almost 30 years of coaching: a lot of what we blame on "getting older" is really years of not giving our bodies what they need. Aging doesn't have to mean slowing down. But the fuel matters.
Signs you might be short on vegetables
Your energy crashes during the day
When vegetables are missing, something else fills the plate. Usually it's processed food, bread or sugar. Those give you a quick lift and then a hard drop. If you feel wiped out by 2 p.m., look at what you ate at noon.
You're hungry again right after you eat
Vegetables are full of fiber. Fiber takes longer to digest, so it keeps you full longer. It's as simple as that.
Your muscles cramp or twitch
I used to blame every cramp on not drinking enough water. Sometimes that's it. But your muscles also need potassium to work smoothly, and leafy greens, potatoes and beans are some of the best sources.
Your digestion is off
Not a fun topic, but an important one. Fiber from vegetables helps keep things moving. When digestion is off, most people feel heavier, more tired and less like themselves.
You just feel sluggish
Any time I let too much processed food creep in, I feel it. My body feels heavy and slow. I hate that feeling. The fix is almost always the same: cut back on the packaged stuff and add more greens.
How to get more vegetables in, starting tomorrow
Just because it's hard doesn't mean we skip it. The easiest way is to add vegetables to every meal, especially breakfast.
- Breakfast: Throw spinach, onions and peppers into your eggs. Or blend a handful of greens into your morning smoothie.
- Lunch: Add a side salad, or keep raw veggies around to snack on.
- Dinner: Make most of your plate colorful, not brown.
What I do on busy days
I still miss some days. Travel, long days and life get in the way. So I back myself up with a scoop of Supreme Greens. It's 22 organic greens, herbs and superfoods in one scoop, and it keeps me covered when I can't get to a salad. It's not a replacement for real vegetables. It's my insurance policy.
Organic Supreme Greens with MSM Powder (also available in capsules if you'd rather not taste it)
Aging is going to happen. How well we age is up to us. Start with your next meal.
Here's to your health,
Greg
Source: CDC, Only 1 in 10 Adults Get Enough Fruits or Vegetables (MMWR, 2017).
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
