For children who are overweight and at risk for obesity, eating even a small amount of nutritious green and orange vegetables can make a world of a difference in their health, a new study shows.
Researchers at The University of Texas found that incorporating nutrient-rich vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and carrots into a child’s diet can help reduce the amount of bad fats in the body. And all it takes is a large salad a day, even if it is not the full serving of vegetables. In other words, something is better than nothing.
The study also showed that incorporating these vegetables into their daily nutrition helped improve insulin levels in a group of overweight children who were monitored by the research team.
Of the 175 overweight or obese children participating in the study, those who ate nutritious veggies daily saw significant improvements in metabolic health, as well as reduced visceral fat surrounding the organs.
Overweight Children Eat Less Vegetables On Average
Less than 6 percent of children eat the recommended serving of vegetables per day. But for those who regularly eat one or two serving of non-starchy vegetables, they reduce their risk for liver problems, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health complications that may occur because of obesity.
Just by incorporating some nutritious vegetables in the diet is a great way to start a life style change to be healthy and could possibly be the pathway to living a healthy life. Of course, getting your kids to eat their veggies is not always easy. Check out this video featuring a clever tip from celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito.
