Nutritionists note that this will have various unpleasant health consequences.
Vegetables are very good for the body because they contain essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fiber. At the same time, most people do not consume enough of them. Thus, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 9.3% of American adults consumed enough vegetables in 2015.
So what happens to your body if you don’t eat vegetables? Parade spoke with nutritionists and identified the seven main consequences for your body.
1. Reduces fiber intake
As Kara Harbstreet, registered dietitian at StreetSmartNutrition, points out, low fiber intake can affect your gut health or overall health.
“A lack of vegetables in the diet by default results in a lack of fiber, which leads to irregular bowel movements and gastrointestinal distress,” adds nutritionist Daniel Chavez.
2. The risk of disease increases
Vegetables can help you feel good and live your best, longest life.
“Regularly eating insufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables can increase your risk for many health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke,” says nutritionist Jennifer Hernandez of PlantPowerwdKidneys.
In general, insufficient consumption of vegetables weakens the immune system, because without a constant supply of vitamins and antioxidants from vegetables, it may be difficult for the immune system to fight even a cold, nutritionists say.
3. You will have less energy.
If you don’t eat your vegetables, you may feel tired and sluggish throughout the day, making it difficult to concentrate or carry out daily activities.
4. You may feel thirsty
Due to their high water content, vegetables contribute to your daily fluid intake. You can get all the fluid you need from water and other drinks, but a serving of vegetables “counts” to maintain adequate hydration levels. Without it, you’ll have to rely more on drinking fluids throughout the day to make up for what you’re not getting from food, Harbstreet says.
5. Skin problems may occur
“Vegetables contain nutrients like vitamin A and antioxidants that promote healthy skin. Without enough vegetables, skin can become dull, dry, acne, premature aging and other skin problems,” says Chavez.
And Hernandez adds that vegetables also help wound healing.
6. You may gain weight
Not eating enough fruits and vegetables can lead to unintentional weight gain as we consume more calorie-dense foods,” says Hernandez.
A 2018 review published in Nutrients indicated “moderate evidence of an association” between vegetable consumption and weight.
7. Nothing
If you eat enough fruit and get essential nutrients from other sources, skipping vegetables may not make a noticeable difference to you. However, Harbstreet notes, this doesn’t mean you can safely give up vegetables.
“In my experience, this doesn’t work for most people. While it’s possible, it’s unlikely, so to be on the safe side, don’t eliminate vegetables from your diet,” she says.
Vegetables are an important component of the Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of the healthiest for the body and promotes longevity, and also prevents the occurrence of certain diseases, in particular hypertension.
