Santé proudly co-sponsors Team Continu, the elite skating team led by Olympic gold medalist Marianne Timmer. As a daily fitness expert, Marianne shares proven tips with Santé to help you stay in top shape.
Marianne Timmer: "Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamin C, low in calories, and provide lasting fullness thanks to their dietary fiber. Vitamin C strengthens your immune system, helping you fend off illness more effectively."
Consuming just two pieces of fruit and 200 grams of vegetables daily can slash the risk of lifestyle diseases—like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer—by 50 to 60%.
Canned vegetables retain similar vitamin levels to fresh ones, but preservatives are often added for shelf life. Opt for fresh or frozen varieties for the purest nutrition.
Nitrates naturally occur in leafy greens like endive, lettuce, and spinach, as well as red beets, pointed cabbage, Chinese cabbage, and celery. While harmless on their own, nitrates can convert to nitrites—and potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines—in the body. Wilted or reheated vegetables may harbor higher nitrite levels.
Fruits and vegetables brim with antioxidants that shield your body from harmful substances and free radicals, slowing signs of aging. Key antioxidants include vitamins C and E. Bananas, in particular, deliver a powerhouse of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates—ideal brain fuel for sustained energy.
