‘Fall’ Into Fruits and Veggies

Fall is the season of colors — from the leaves on the trees to flags on tailgates before football games. Fall is also a great time to add more color to your life in the shape of fruits and veggies. In honor of National Fruits and Veggies – More Matters Month, here are some options that are sure to add some color to your plate, and why they should be part of your diet.

Sweet Potatoes (Yams)

Sweet potatoes contain twice the daily recommended amount of vitamin A for improved vision, fiber for digestive health and four times the daily recommended amount of beta-carotene, to give your immune system a boost. And since sweet potatoes are complex carbohydrates, they digest slowly to leave you feeling fuller longer — for only about 145 calories each.

Add sweet potatoes to your everyday meals by replacing French fries with baked sweet potato fries or mashed sweet potatoes with dinner.

Try this! Sprinkle some GlucAffect® on a baked sweet potato instead of cinnamon and sugar. It will add a tasty cinnamon flavor and help manage your blood sugar.

Butternut Squash

The most popular winter squash contains vitamin E to protect against free radical damage, B6 to aid in brain function and potassium to help regulate muscle function. It is also naturally low in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories — only 45 calories per 100g serving.

Add butternut squash to your diet by chopping one up for a pasta or stir-fry, slow cooking it in your next roast recipe or making butternut squash soup to warm up on those cool autumn nights.

Try this! Many recipes with butternut squash call for sugar, instead of adding countless calories, try using Relivables® All-Natural Sweetener and get the sweet without the calories.

Cranberries

Cranberries are filled with vitamin K and manganese for your bone health, and vitamin C for your immune system. With this power fruit, you can have an entire cup for only 45 calories.

Add cranberries to a salad, mix them into your bread recipe or into Reliv smoothies. Cranberry juice is a delicious option, but make sure to check the label so you aren’t buying a juice cocktail, which is typically filled with added sugar and water — diluting the nutrients.

Try this! Add cranberries to your favorite Reliv smoothie recipes for a tart and tangy treat!