DLJ Produce

Chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, fruits and vegetables are necessities for a healthy, balanced diet. However, some of these delicious morsels pack more of a nutritious punch than others. If you’re already eating fruits and veggies, you’re ahead of the curve, but to take your health to the next level, here are some natural foods to add to your everyday diet.

With the Thanksgiving feast around the corner, try there’s no better time to learn more about fresh produce and what they have to offer to your overall health.

Fruits and Veggies to Add:

Broccoli

High in calcium and rich in vitamins K, E, C, B, and A, broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse. Many of these nutrients help strengthen the immune system, as well as flush out toxins. Each bite of broccoli also fills your body with an organic compound known as sulforaphane, which has been known to protect against brain damage and sun damage, as well as negate certain effects of autism. Unfortunately, the nutrients within broccoli only last for 24 hours, so you’ll need to get a fresh dose each day.

Blueberries

Despite their size, blueberries have some of the biggest quantities of vitamins and nutrients in the fruit kingdom. Blueberries contain more antioxidants than almost any fruit, effectively lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular and heart health, and even slowing the aging process of the brain.

Spinach

Spinach reaches superfood status thanks to a number of health benefits and the fact that it tastes great in just about anything. This champion of leafy greens contains almost no calories while dishing out nutrients in high proportion. Iron, calcium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C are all found in high doses in spinach, allowing your body to combat high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer.

Oranges and Citrus Fruits

Although orange juice has long been a staple of the morning breakfast spread, few know how nutritious these orange balls actually are. Just one orange or 8-ounce glass of orange juice contains a full dose of vitamin C, which boosts your body’s immune system and helps fight off disease. Citrus produce, especially oranges are also full of antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage from external toxins. If you like to look younger — and who doesn’t — oranges have also been known to play a vital role in forming skin-firming collagen.

Carrots

You don’t have to be Bugs Bunny to enjoy a delicious raw carrot each day. This veggie’s bright orange color is the result of beta-carotene, which has been proven to lower the chances of cancer. Carrots are also packed with vitamin A (428% of your daily value), which aids in immune function, reproductive health, and better vision.

Avocado

While it’s technically a fruit, avocados have found themselves at the center of the salad universe. Creamy, tasty, and full of protein and monounsaturated fat, these native Mexican and Central American fruits can help lower the risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol.

While you may find it impossible to incorporate all of these fruits and vegetables into your meals each day, your body will thank you for making the attempt. Nutritious, delicious, and versatile either in a cooked or raw fashion, these natural superfoods will have you feeling better than ever.

DLJ Produce prides itself on serving customers nationwide by providing fresh conventional and organic fruits and vegetables 365 a year. We love sharing information with you that improves your daily lives, and we want to hear from you. What are your favorite fruits or vegetables? Follow us on our social channels and let’s connect.