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Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables

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grains, fruits and vegetables

What do grains, fruits, and vegetables have in common?

They all are foods from plants and have fiber, vitamins, and minerals that we need for good health. Fiber fills you up and helps reduce constipation, too! Eating these foods now may help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer later in life. Make half of the total amount of grains you (and your child) eat every day whole grains. Whole grains include 100% whole-wheat bread, whole-grain crackers, whole-grain cereals, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, and popcorn. On the ingredient list, look for “100% whole wheat” or the words “whole” or “whole grain” before the name of the grain.

 

Help your child choose a variety  

  • Children love to be involved in planning and preparing food. Plan snacks that have whole grains, fruits, and vegetables such as whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese topped with cucumber or apple slices.
  • For sandwiches, choose 100% whole-wheat bread, tortillas, or English muffins and add a fruit or vegetable.

 

Children love to get involved in the kitchen

Make this Veggie Bulgur recipe together.

Publications & Resources

  • Overview
  • Food Access Resources
  • Food Explorer Posters
  • Nutrition Bites
  • Produce Spotlight
  • Show Me Nutrition
  • Harvest of the Month
  • Useful Links
  • Youth Curriculum
  • Healthy Recipes

Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment

 

Stockbridge Hall,
80 Campus Center Way
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA 01003-9246
Phone: (413) 545-4800
Fax: (413) 545-6555
ag [at] cns [dot] umass [dot] edu (ag[at]cns[dot]umass[dot]edu)

 

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