Despite the expert recommendation that half of your plate should have fruits and veggies, most people don’t abide by this rule of plate.
In fact, many don’t come close, or pass on veggies or fruits altogether – and that’s a big problem for your health and body.
Not only are fruits and veggies delicious (no, really), but produce is linked to countless studies indicating they help you lose weight, stay healthier, and fight off disease. But this is what happens when you avoid fruits and veggies in your diet:
You’ll be cranky
“If you are skipping fruits, reducing carbs, and focusing mostly on eating protein, there is a good chance that you will become irritable and it will become harder to focus,” says registered dietitian Mitzi Dulan, RD, author of The Pinterest Diet: How to Pin Your Way Thin and team nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals. “Our brains are glucose-dependent and need carbs to function optimally.”
You’ll be short on fiber
“Without any fruits or vegetables in your diet, you are likely to fall short of your daily fiber needs,” says registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE author of Belly Fat Diet For Dummies.
Fiber regulates appetite and blood sugar levels, reduces cholesterol, and promotes a healthy digestive system.
“When you lack dietary fiber, you are more at risk of obesity, heart disease, and even certain cancers,” she says.
Related: The Best Food Sources for Dietary Fiber
Your digestive system will run poorly
“Your digestive system will have a difficult time functioning without adequate fiber,” says registered dietitian Julieanna Hever, MS, RD, CPT, a plant-based dietitian and author of The Vegiterranean Diet and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition.
“Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of different fibers that increase transit time, promote the elimination of toxins, and improve immune function.”
Keep in mind that fruits and veggies juices, like smoothies, can be a great alternative, but know that fiber is lost in the juicing process, meaning you can’t rely on these products fully for your produce fix.
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