Five reasons why you should eat more vegetables

We know that vegetables are beneficial for our body, but we still find excuses to avoid them. But remember, eating vegetables makes you healthy.

Fight flab

If you want to lose weight, going vegetarian might be an advantage. Says Dr Ashutosh Shukla, Consultant, Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon: “Vegetarian foods are more efficiently absorbed by the body than non-vegetarian meals. Also, eating vegetables increases calorie burn after meals.”

Live longer

Says Dr Sameer Shrivastava, Consultant, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi: “Eating vegetables increases the body’s production of antioxidants, which haul toxins out of the body. On average, people who adhere to a vegetarian diet live longer than those who do not.”

Boost your immunity

Says Dr Shrivastava: “Leafy greens such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and spinach are great immunity boosters as they provide iron, vitamins and other nutrients while simultaneously cleansing the bowel.”

Get stronger bones

The ideal foods for bone health are those that are not only high in calcium but also reduce calcium losses. Says Dr Shrivastava: “Vegetables are the best source of calcium for us.” In contrast, meat-based foods are not only low in calcium, they have an adverse effect on foods that reduce calcium loss.

Improve your skin

Vegetables are high in essential fatty acids and low in saturated fats. This is important because these fatty acids thin the oil secreted through the skin and make it less liable to clog the pores than oil-containing saturated fats.

—Manu Kaushik