Health Benefits of Food

1. Health Benefits of Food Which foods are best for you?

2. Fruit and Veggies • Reduce risk for heart disease • Heart attack and stroke • May help protect against certain types of cancers • Helps lower blood pressure • Reduce risk of kidney stones • Good low-calorie alternative as a snack

3. Nutrients in Fruit • Naturally low in sodium, fat, and calories • None contain cholesterol • Great source of potassium, fiber, Vitamin C, and folic acid • Provide a healthier, natural sugar source

4. Nutrients in Vegetables • Naturally low in fat and calories • None contain cholesterol • Great source of potassium, fiber, folic acid, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C

5. Beans and Peas • Split-peas, lentils, and kidney, pinto, black, lima, black-eyed, and garbanzo beans are mature legumes • Excellent source of protein • Provide iron and zinc • Considered part of the protein food group but also a sub-section of the vegetable group • Provide excellent source for fiber, folate, and potassium • Green peas, string beans, and lima beans are not part of this group

6. Grains