Pile on Power Foods

Pile on the Power Foods

Article By: Melissa Sperl

There's a reason we made all fruits and most veggies Power Foods – and 0 PointsPlus™ values: They're a fabulous tool for weight loss. Here's how to get them into your meal plan.



If you're like many people, you may find it hard to fit five servings of fruits and vegetables into your menu each day. It makes sense: When you're more used to extra breads, meats and cheeses than veggies and fruits, it's a big adjustment.

But it's an important part of the Plan, so do what you can to make the change. It's worth it. In addition to all fresh fruits and most vegetables having zero PointsPlus values, fruits and veggies offer the following perks:

They make you feel fuller.
They're rich sources of disease-fighting antioxidants.
They reduce the risk of heart disease.
They provide folic acid, vitamins and minerals.
They increase energy, fight infection, improve regularity, keep skin healthy, promote normal blood clotting and build bones!
Fitting them in
There are many ways to include more fruits and vegetables into your meals. Variety is key. When you go grocery shopping, pick up a fruit you've never tried before or spice up your green beans with a fiery peanut sauce instead of the usual butter spray.

Here are some tricks to try:



Add vegetables to frozen entrees, pasta dishes, soups or wraps.
Use frozen veggies to save time. Add them to recipes or use them on their own.
Snack on crudités with salsa, hummus, low-fat dip or dressing.
Buy fresh seasonal, local or organic veggies, which are often more flavorful.
Mix fruits into salads for a surprising new taste.