Breaking Bad Habits Continued

According to studies, women who eat the most fruits and vegetables are most likely to lose weight and maintain weight loss.

"Thousands of studies spanning decades of research consistently and repeatedly show that women who eat diets rich in vegetables and fruit significantly lower their risks for most age-related diseases, from heart disease and diabetes to hypertension, cancer and cataracts."

Produce rich in Vitamin C:
oranges, red bell peppers, grapefruit

Carotene-rich
Mangoes
Carrots
Sweet potatoes
Papayas

Cruciferous vegetables
Broccoli
Cabbage

Its important to eat your veggies and fruits, as they provide phytochemicals, that supplements don't provide.

Types of vegetables to avoid
Bananas are perhaps the perfect fruit. "Banana chips" and any other fruit chips ruin them.

A bananda a day should be your slogan - indeed, make that your munch midnight snack, if you have a craving for something sweet.

Sweet potatoes are more healthy for you than potatoes (unless you smother them with sweet sauce and top them with marshmallows)

Don't be afraid to use salad dressing...real salad dressing, not low fat stuff (unless you actually like it, of course), just mix your salad and dressing up altogether to get the full taste.

How to consume more fruit and veggies
There is such a wide variety of fruit and veggies available that you should never grow bored with eating them. (I admit I have a limited palette to choose from - Red Delicious Apples, bananas, corn, peas, lettuce, beans....that's about it!)

Keep your lettuce in bags - it stays fresher than way.
Prepare salads the night before - so that when you're searching for a snack and don't want to take the time to make something...you don't have to, it's already made for you.
Keep bananas on those little banana trees that keep them off the counter and fresher longer
Instead of putting maple syrup on your waffles or pancakes, either don't use it at all or cut back...and put fresh fruit on them instead.

All sorts of ways to eat healthy - with food that actually tastes good.