Would you eat healthier if you were told it would make you feel happier? A recent study in the journal of Social Indicators Research, found that people who eat seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day have the highest mental well-being and are the happiest.

So what could seven servings of fruit and vegetables look like?

Breakfast could include one or two servings: a banana, 1/2 grapefruit, an orange, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, melon, or cantaloupe.

A mid-morning snack could include one serving: an apple, pear, grapes, carrots, celery, or red bell peppers.

Lunch could include two or more servings: a green salad with raw or cooked vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets, red bell peppers, celery, or cucumber. Or vegetable soup, coleslaw, kale salad, beet salad, broccoli cranberry salad, or cauliflower salad.

An afternoon snack could include one serving: same as mid-morning snack.

Dinner could include two or more servings: vegetable soup, a salad, cooked greens, roasted vegetables, mixed vegetables, steamed broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, carrots. spinach, zucchini, bok choy, or string beans.

It’s easy to add fruit and vegetable servings to what you already eat when you plan ahead!

Love, Health & Happiness,

Phyllis