Fruit and vegetables don’t just make your plate look nice—they work wonders for your health too.
In fact, there are plenty of great reasons why we’re encouraged to eat fruit and vegetables every day. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that your body loves. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be hard or boring. A colorful fruit salad as a snack, some crunchy veggies with lunch, or an extra handful of spinach in your pasta can actually make a big difference—both for how you feel today and in the long run.
In this article, we’ll dive into why fruit and veggies are so important, which ones are best for what—and how to easily add more greens to your everyday life without it feeling like a diet.
Let’s start by going through why fruit and vegetables are actually so good for you.
🥗 General benefits of fruits and vegetables
💪 1. Nutritious without being high in energy
Rich in vitamins (e.g. C, A, K, folate) and minerals (such as potassium, magnesium and iron).
High nutritional value per calorie – helps you get what you need without eating too much energy.
Naturally low in fat and calories.
🧬 2. Full of antioxidants and phytonutrients
Protects the body's cells against damage from free radicals.
Reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
🧻 3. Good for digestion
High fiber content (especially in peels and leafy greens) – provides satiety and good intestinal function.
Some fruits and vegetables contain prebiotics – nutrition for good intestinal bacteria.
Soluble fiber (e.g. from apple, carrot) can lower LDL cholesterol.
🤒 5. Strengthens the immune system
Vitamin C (in citrus, peppers, strawberries) strengthens the body's defenses against infections
Vitamin A (from e.g. carrots and spinach) keeps mucous membranes and skin strong.
Plant substances and flavonoids support immune activity.
🧠 6. Supports brain and mental health
Certain berries and green leafy vegetables are linked to better memory and concentration.
Magnesium, folate, and antioxidants are important for brain function and protection against depression.
⚖️ 7. Helps with weight control
Satisfying without giving too much energy.
High fiber and water content → fills the stomach.
Can replace less healthy snacks.
💧 8. Contributes to fluid balance
Many fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water (e.g. cucumber, watermelon, orange).
🍎 Different Fruits – Benefits
🥦 Vegetables – Benefits
🥦 10 easy ways to get more fruits and vegetables into your everyday life
🍌 1. Start your day with fruit
Top your breakfast with sliced banana, berries, apple slices or mango – in your porridge, yoghurt or on your sandwich. You’ll get both sweetness and nutrition right from the start.
🥤 2. Make smoothies
Put fruit and vegetables in a blender – perfect for cleaning out the fridge. Spinach, avocado, carrots or frozen broccoli go great with fruits like bananas, mangoes or berries.
🥕 3. Always have cut vegetables ready
Prepare carrot sticks, cucumber slices or bell pepper pieces in a jar in the fridge. Perfect as snacks or to throw in your lunchbox.
🥬 4. Add “something green” to every meal
Whether you’re eating pasta, rice, a sandwich or soup – throw in some arugula, grated carrots, tomato or corn. Small amounts are enough!
🍎 5. Keep fruit visible at home
Place a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter or desk. If you see it – you eat it. Simple trick that actually works.
🥗 6. Swap parts of the dish
Replace some pasta or rice with extra vegetables. For example, half the plate with stir-fried vegetables, cauliflower rice or roasted root vegetables.
🌯 7. Hide vegetables in your food
Grate carrots, zucchini or spinach into meat sauce, steaks or gratins. The taste doesn't change much – but the nutrition increases!
🍠 8. Try new cooking methods
Vegetables often taste better roasted in the oven with spices. Try roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes or Brussels sprouts, for example.
🍓 9. Freeze berries and fruit
Always have frozen blueberries, raspberries, mango or pineapple at home. Perfect for smoothies, yogurt or as “ice cream” when you mix them frozen.
🥒 10. Make it a habit, not a compulsion
Small changes count! An extra slice of tomato here, a handful of spinach there – the more it becomes a natural part of the diet, the easier it will be to stick to it in the long run
Eating more fruit and vegetables is an easy way to boost both health and energy – every day. And if you need inspiration in the kitchen, check out the recipe section in Livity. We have over 700 healthy and fresh recipes with good nutritional value – many packed with fruit, berries and vegetables that both taste good and do you good.
Anna Stålnacke
