I grew up on a farm, and ate fresh vegetables and fruits out of the garden during gardening season. We canned or froze the rest so that we could continue to enjoy them in the winter. When you’ve tasted a fresh tomato or sweet peas that was on the plant that morning Arance, you may find that your enjoyment level increases.
I have had fun introducing fresh fruits and vegetables to my family. Those who never lived on a farm are usually very surprised. Sometimes that’s good for them and other times not so much. When I served fresh cabbage, several family members accused me of poisoning them. That’s not what it was, they had just never had the fresh mustard oil found in the leaves of this plant.
There are several health benefits from eating fruits and vegetables. Some are across the board and some are individual. This can come in handy when someone is complaining about the veggies du jour.
Blood Sugar: The fructose found in most fruits and some vegetables can help you regulate blood sugar levels. Care has to be taken with these if you are a diabetic, but the energy boost that can come with an appropriate amount of this natural sugar can be helpful.
Blueberries: You may have been told as a child that carrots are good for your eyes, and they are. Blueberries and their cousin bilberry are also very helpful in maintaining vision.
Cherries: Tart cherries are an important part of getting over an attack of gout. This is true in two ways. One, they help rid your body of uric acid, which is what is causing the pain. Second, they have a mild anti-inflammatory effect, which could help relieve swelling and pain.
Fiber: Most fruits and vegetables come with fiber, an indigestible product that helps block cholesterol absorption and pushes unwanted fat and cholesterol through the intestines without being absorbed by the body. Fiber also helps you stay regular.
Fluid: Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of fluids, which go toward maintaining adequate hydration. Citrus fruits are especially full of fluids.
Garlic: All of the edible members of the allium family provide more than just nutrition, but garlic is the king. It can have the effect of a weak antibiotic, helps to lower blood pressure and may help to lower cholesterol.
Vitamins/Minerals: This is, of course, what most people think about when the consider fruits and vegetables. Most of them are loaded with vitamins, minerals and trace elements. The soil they are grown in will have some say in how much of which.
Weight Loss: Though you may have to watch out for the sugar and starch levels in some of them, they are a good way to stay full without a lot of calories.
As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons to eat the veggies. If you have problems with eating them raw, find a good recipe site. There are a lot of ways to prepare them, and you may find you like some of them.