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Fruit or vegetables – Which is the healthier option?

December 17, 2018

Fruit and vegetables contain a huge range of vital vitamins and micronutrients, making them indisputably healthy! But if you think fruit is just as good for you as vegetables, then think again.

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Image: Colourbox/PetraD

Nutritionists recommend eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day! That does not, however, mean consuming five apples or five bananas. The right mix is crucial! A lot of people tend to prefer fruit, because it looks tastier and is generally easy to eat without the need to peel and cook first. But in fact we should be paying more attention to our vegetable intake! The fructose contained in fruit has a similarly negative effect on our blood sugar and insulin levels as household sugar. Nutritionists therefore recommend the following rule of thumb: "400 grams of vegetables and 200 grams of fruit per day". People who need to lose weight should bear in mind the sugar content in fruit. A combination of different vegetables and fruits provide the ideal nutritional mix – and you should also vary that combination from day to day. Appearance provides a vague orientation guide: the more colorful, the better.

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