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This was my 13^th year competing at the New Albany Walking Classic which is one of the top walking only races in the country. After the race, I had some people ask me about what was printed on my T-shirt – “Mangia Meglio, Vivi Meglio” which means “Eat Better, Live Better”.

September is ‘Fruits & Veggies – More Matters® Month’ as a reminder of the importance of fruits and vegetables in our diet. Only 1 in 10 Americans get the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily. Fruits and vegetables provide a natural variety of nutrients that allow you to be your best every day. By increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, strokes and some cancers. By snacking on fruits and vegetables than processed foods, we can decrease our chance of obesity. It is much cheaper to buy fruits and vegetables than prescription medications.

The recommended amount of fruits and vegetables is 5 – 9 servings a day. You can do this by making fruits and vegetables about half of what you eat every time you eat. I start my day with a smoothie that is filled with fruits and green leafy vegetables. I pack my lunch for work and include vegetables in my meal. I have my fruits washed and in sandwich bags ready to munch if I get hungry during the day. To save money, I like to buy fruits and vegetables in season.

The Produce For Better Health (PBH) Foundation is a good resource if you are findings it difficult to meet the recommendation. The goal of the foundation is to foster an environment where people can include fruits and vegetables at every eating occasion.

Mangia Meglio, Vivi Meglio