Your plate holds more power than you think.
I’ll be honest with you. I used to think vegetables were just something you ate because you had to. Like a chore. Something to check off the list before diving into the “real” food.
Then I learned the truth.
Vegetables aren’t just good for you. They’re one of the most powerful tools you have to age well. To feel good. To look good. To be good to yourself.
The Simple Truth About How Much You Need
Here’s what Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, a registered dietitian, told me: “Consuming the daily recommended amount of vegetables ensures you receive the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for good health.”
So how much is that?
Two to three cups per day.
That’s it. Not complicated. Not impossible. Just two to three cups.
Your age matters. Your activity level matters. Your body matters. But this is a good target for most adults.
Anderson-Haynes shared a trick that changed how I eat: “Make half your plate veggies.”
Do that, and you’ll hit your goal without thinking about it.
The Problem We’re All Facing
Want to know something sad? Only 1 in 10 adults eat enough vegetables each day. The CDC confirmed it.
That means 9 out of 10 of us are missing out. We’re leaving health on the table. Literally.
But here’s the good news: you can change that today. Right now. With your next meal.
What Vegetables Actually Do for Your Aging Body
Think of vegetables as medicine you can eat. As armor for your cells. As fuel that makes everything work better.
When you eat your vegetables every day, here’s what happens:
Your skin glows.
Your gut works better. Your heart stays strong.
Inflammation goes down. Your weight stays healthy. You feel full without overeating. Everything moves the way it should.
Anderson-Haynes put it perfectly: “Consuming vegetables daily not only gives you an outer glow but inner glow as well.”
That inner glow? That’s your body saying thank you.
How to Make It Happen
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to eat kale at every meal. You don’t need to become someone you’re not.
You just need to add more color to your plate.
Red peppers. Green spinach.
Orange carrots.
Purple cabbage.
Yellow squash.
The more colors you eat, the more nutrients you get. Nature made it easy for us.
Spread your vegetables throughout the day if that works better. Have some at breakfast. More at lunch. Finish strong at dinner.
Or eat them all at once. There’s no wrong way.
The Investment That Pays Forever
Every vegetable you eat is an investment. In your future self.
In how you’ll feel at 50, 60, 70, and beyond.
You’re not just eating for today. You’re eating for the person you’ll become.
Your body will age. That’s a fact. But how it ages? That’s up to you.
And it starts with something as simple as two to three cups of vegetables per day.
So fill your plate. Add the colors. Make half of it veggies.
Your future self will thank you.