Daily Fit Tip: Think color! in the produce aisle

Of course we all grew up to the words "eat your vegetables!" For some of us that advice stuck and for some of us it didn't, but everyone agrees that vegetables are good for you. So how do you get the most nutrient bang for your buck? Remember the cardinal rule for produce shopping: more color equals more nutrients, generally. Examples include carrots and sweet potatoes, both bright orange and both great sources of vitamin A and potassium. Or bell peppers and strawberries, bright red and full of vitamin C.

Click for a chart of vegetables and nutrient values, and there is also a handy calculator that will tell you just how many servings of fruit and veggies you should aim for every day, based on your age, sex, and activity level.

A good rule of thumb: if you fill your shopping cart with a variety of differently colored fresh produce, you'll be getting a nice variety of important nutrients as well.