By Curtis Thill, M.D.

 

Let’s be honest. When someone says: “Eat more fruits and vegetables,” many of us hear, “Say goodbye to flavor and joy.” But while you’re mentally digesting a possible change in diet, think about this fact: your body loves fruits and veggies—and we’re talking full-on love. 

Why is that? We may not think of it this way, but fruits and vegetables represent nature’s original multivitamin (but of course way tastier). When you stroll by that vegetable aisle or produce stand, you may not think about how packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber those fruits and vegetables are. And that includes the Farm Stand (sponsored by Lost River Co-op & Café)  and other produce stands that pop up during summer in southern Indiana. 

Natural tune-up

The point? We’re talking about all the good stuff your body needs to help keep you running like a well-oiled machine – at any age.

Want to feel more energized? Try eating a banana instead of downing a fourth cup of coffee. Want natural glowing skin? Eat some berries—your face will thank you. Want to avoid getting sick every time someone sneezes within a 5-mile radius? Load up on leafy greens like you’re Popeye the Sailor 2.0.

Not convinced? Here’s where it gets even cooler. Fruits and veggies don’t just help you avoid getting sick—they can help your body heal itself and combat disease. When you substitute some tasty veggies, you activate your body’s superpowers, but without the comic book red cape or radioactive spider bite. 

Here’s a few examples: cruciferous veggies like broccoli act like detox ninjas. Bright orange sweet potatoes can help boost your immune system and energize your GI system like nobody’s business. And garlic? In addition to making Italian food soar in taste, these little bulbs act as nature’s antibiotic and cardio booster. 

Need some help in making the switch? Let’s talk tech. If you have (or are thinking about getting one) a smartwatch—the same one that guilts you into standing every hour—it can actually help you eat better, too. You can program reminders to eat healthy meals, track how much water you drink, and even log your fruit-and-veggie intake. Think of it as a very polite, slightly judgmental health coach on your wrist, that sometimes reminds you: “Hey, maybe don’t skip lunch for the third day in a row.” 

Start small for big differences

Small changes make a big difference. You don’t have to go full-on rabbit and start munching kale by the metric ton. Just start with an extra serving here, a smoothie there, maybe even sneak spinach into your scrambled eggs (pro tip: the spinach never sees it coming). Over time, your taste buds actually start craving produce. You may even get to the point where you start planting your own garden (including our community garden opportunities in Crawford, Orange and other south central Indiana counties).

On the flip side, it’s easy to fall for the siren call of chips and donuts—they’re loud and flashy to unsuspecting taste buds like bad decisions. Meanwhile your body is quietly whispering, “Hey, how about a grape? Maybe a carrot?” And when you listen, you feel the difference. More energy. Better digestion. Fewer “What did I eat last night?” regrets.

So go ahead—build your plate to look like a crayon box. Let your smartwatch gently nag you toward wellness. You’re not giving up joy; you’re just upgrading it. And who knows? You might even start liking broccoli. Stranger things have happened.

Summer represents the height of fresh, incredibly delicious fruits and vegetables in southern Indiana (had a fresh Hoosier peach lately?). So grab that apple, rock those veggies, and keep creating the healthiest version of you.

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A board-certified family physician, Dr. Curtis Thill has served Southern Indiana Community Health Care patients and families – and championed local community gardens – for more than 30 years.