You Can Actually Save Money and Get Healthy by Planting Vegetable Gardens with just a little planning. Instead of setting up a swimming pool or a Zen garden in your backyard, why not plant healthy vegetables? Planting vegetable gardens is a great way to spend a quiet time, eliminating stress while getting in touch with nature. Having a steady supply of vegetables will also lessen food expenses, and improve the health of your loved ones. Vegetables are low in calories and fat.

Money-saving strategy:

It's not easy to ignore the soaring prices of food items these days, including vegetables. Although your backyard may be small and your vegetable garden may not provide all that you need, it will have a dramatic effect in reducing your food bill. Imagine not having to run to the grocery store to buy some of the ingredients for your cooking. Some of the most common vegetables that you need are already right there in your very own backyard. Depending on the kind of vegetables you plant and your methods of preserving them, the economical benefits you get from your vegetable garden may be felt all year round.

Image courtesy of: Lorianne DiSabato

You may also think that your children will more than likely, eat less each time you serve them vegetables. It is obvious that kids would prefer to eat burgers, hotdogs and others. However, there are several cookbooks available in bookstores that can show you a variety of vegetable meals to prepare that are appetizing even for the kids. With a little planning and great seasoning, you can make a meal look and taste delicious, even for children.

More nutritious meals:

With a variety of vegetables practically ready to pick right in your backyard, you will find it more pleasing to cook and serve vegetable dishes to your family. This means that everybody will get to enjoy the numerous health benefits of eating fresh produce, since vegetables are packed with tons of nutrients. Aside from the fact that they are low in fats and calories, and contain no cholesterol, you will also get a steady source of the following:

Dietary fiber is important for normal bowel movement, and good for your entire digestive tract. Dietary fiber is also known to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the body, lower the risk of heart diseases, as well as fight off certain forms of cancers. If you are on a diet, you will also feel much fuller faster. Some vegetables rich in dietary fiber are peas, carrots, cabbage and spinach.

Potassium helps the body maintain healthy blood pressure; reduce risk of many chronic diseases, and reduce blood cholesterol levels. It lowers the risk of heart disease. It is also important in keeping the brain, muscles and other tissues in the body functioning normally. Vegetables that are loaded with potassium include potatoes, squash, tomato, eggplant and celery.

Vitamins A, B and C:  Vitamin A is great for the eyes and skin. Vitamin C is necessary to maintain healthy connective tissues and is known to boost the immune system. Vitamin B is important for extracting the energy in the carbohydrates in several food sources. Carrots, asparagus, broccoli and green pepper are rich in Vitamin A. Broccoli, peas and beans are a great source of vitamin B. Your dose of vitamin C is supplied by red cabbage, kale, parsley and turnip.

Other vitamins and minerals you can get from vegetables include calcium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium, iron, niacin, folate (folic acid), zinc and manganese. Eating a variety of vegetables maximizes your nutrition. Vitamins and minerals are found in all foods, but fruits and vitamins are basically,  good sources of vitamins and minerals.

Save money and help your kids stay in the best of health, through planting vegetable gardens. Spinach tops the chart of the healthiest vegetables, followed by carrots, garlic, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, green peas and Swiss chard. You get a sense of pride each time your family enjoys the meal on the table, whose vegetable ingredients you cultivated in your backyard.

By: Ru

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