Power Up and Feel Amazing With A Rainbow Of Veggies

Veg out! The real reason to make your meals a little greener

- Jessica D'argenio Waller

Who runs the world? Well, plants, TBH. Packed full of protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and tons of good-foryou nutrients (like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds), these superfoods are real superheroes for your growing body and mind. 

But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teens are sadly lacking veggies in their diets. In fact, only 1 in 10 teens are getting the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables per day (that’s 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of veggies). And as more and more studies show that people who eat mostly veggies live longer, healthier lives, it seems like we all could use more green on our plates. Here’s a plant-based primer to help you achieve just that.

MORE PLANTS, LESS MEAT

Just can’t live without your weekly trip to Five Guys? Don’t fret. Going plantbased doesn’t strictly mean eliminating meat altogether. It’s more about a shift in perspective.   

Defined, “plant-based” means focusing on whole, unrefined or minimally processed plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes (like beans, lentils and peas), whole grains (like oats, brown rice and quinoa) and nuts and seeds.

So you can still have your burger—and eat it, too—but you may also opt to think outside the box for most of your meals. Craving takeout? Go for the salad pizza (cheese + fresh greens = yum) and skip the meat lover’s supreme, which is full of not-so-nice stuff like excess saturated fat, processed meat and toxins that can wreak havoc on your body and hormones. 

“When I cut back on meat, my acne went from severe to moderate,” says Andrea R., 17. Aside from clearer skin, studies show that eating “clean”—that is, more veggies and fewer processed foods—can lead to better sleep, increased energy, improved mental focus and a lower risk of obesity.