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FRUITS
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VEGETABLES
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NUTS
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BENEFITS
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GUIDELINES
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Vitamin A
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(Fruits contain alpha and beta-carotenes, which are converted in the body to Vitamin A)
Apricots
Avocado
Blackberries
Cantaloupes
Kiwi Mangos
Oranges
Peaches
Tomatoes
Watermelon
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(Red, yellow, orange, and dark green vegetables)
Asparagus
Broccoli
Carrots
Green Pepper
Kale
Peas
Spinach
Summer Squash
Sweet potato
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Almonds
Chestnuts
Hazelnuts
Pistachios
Pumpkin Seeds
Pecans
PineNuts
Sunflower Seeds
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* Vitamin A helps vision and prevents eye problems.
* It promotes bone growth and tooth development.
* It is essential for the reproduction and development of cells.
* It keeps skin and hair healthy.
* It promotes a healthy immune system and is needed for formation of some hormones.
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* Deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin, dry eyes, loss of appetite, poor bone growth, and weak tooth enamel.
* Overdose may cause headaches, blurred vision, irregular periods, fatigue, cracked skin, joint and bone pain, rashes, loss of hair, vomiting, liver damage.
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Vitamin B1
(Thiamin or Thiamine)
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Avocado
Orange
Watermelon
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Asparagus
Cauliflower
Dried Beans
Peas
Potatoes
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Sunflower Seeds
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* Vitamin B1 (Thiamin or Thiamine) helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy.
* It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system.
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* Whole Grains, Dried Beans, Fortified Cereals and Pasta and Soy Foods are a good source of B1.
* Deficiency can leave one fatigued and weak. It can cause depression, muscle cramps, hysteria, loss of appetite and beriberi (common with chronic alcoholism).
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Vitamin B2
(Riboflavin)
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Kiwi
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(Green leafy vegetables)
Avocado
Asparagus
Broccoli
Mushrooms
Spinach
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No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B2
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* Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is essential for turning carbohydrates, fat and protein into energy.
* It is important for body growth and producing red blood cells.
* It is also important for vision.
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* Enriched and Fortified Cereals are a good source.
* Deficiency can cause visual problems, and can cause cracks and sores around the mouth and nose.
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Vitamin B3
(Niacin)
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Bananas
Cantaloupe
Kiwi
Peaches
Tomatoes
Watermelon
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Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Broccoli
Carrots
Corn
Green Pepper
Kale
Lima Beans
Mushrooms
Peas
Potatoes
Summer Squash
Sweet potato
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Almonds
Chestnuts
Peanuts
Peanut Butter
Pine Nuts
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* Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is important for the conversion of carbohydrate, protein, and fat into energy.
* It helps maintain healthy skin.
* It assists in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves.
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* Enriched or fortified grain products are a good source.
* Deficiency may cause diarrhea and mouth sores. In extreme cases it may cause pellagra.
* Overdose may cause high blood sugar and uric acid, hot flashes, cardiac arrythmias, ulcers and liver disorders.
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Vitamin B5
(Pantothenic Acid)
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Avocado
Oranges
Bananas
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Artichoke
Carrots
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Corn
Lima Beans
Mushrooms
Potatoes
Sweet Potato
Winter Squash
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No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B5
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* Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is essential for the metabolism of food.
* It is also essential in the formation of hormones and “good†cholesterol.
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* Whole Grain Cereals are a good source of B5.
* Excess of one B vitamin may cause deficiency of others.
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Vitamin B6
(Pyridoxine)
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Avocado
Bananas Watermelon
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Beans
Broccoli
Carrots
Peas
Potatoes
Spinach
Sweet Potatoes
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Seeds and Nuts
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* Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) helps the body break down proteins and make red blood cells.
* It helps maintain normal brain and nerve function.
* It plays a role in the creation of antibodies in th.e immune system.
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* Fortified Cereals are a good source.
* Deficiency can cause anemia, dizziness, nausea, irritability and convulsions.
* Overdose can cause nerve damage.
* The higher the protein intake, the more need there is for vitamin B6.
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Vitamin B9
(Folate and Folic Acid are both forms of B9)
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Avocado
Bananas Blackberries
Cantaloupe
Kiwi
Orange Strawberry
Tomatoes
(Folate occurs naturally in fresh foods. Folic Acid is the synthetic form found in supplements.)
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Artichoke Asparagus
Broccoli
Carrots
Corn
Green Pepper
Kale
Lima Beans
Onions
Peas
Potatoes
Spinach
Squash
Sweet Potato
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Almonds
Brazil Nuts
Cashews
Chestnuts
Hazelnuts
Macadamias
Peanuts
Pine Nuts
Sunflower Seeds
Pistachios
Pecans
Pumpkin Seeds
Walnuts
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* Vitamin B9 helps the body make red blood cells, as well as components of the nervous system.
* It is needed to make DNA.
* It helps maintain normal brain function, and is a critical part of spinal fluid.
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* It has been proven to reduce the risk for an NTD-affected pregnancy by 50 to 70 percent. Before and during pregnancy, a woman should have enough Folic Acid since it is vital for proper cell growth and development of the embryo.
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Vitamin B12
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No fruits contain vitamin B12
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no vegetables contain vitamin B12
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No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin B12
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* Vitamin B12 is important for metabolism.
* It helps to make red blood cells.
* It is important for nerve cell function.
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* It is available only from fish, poultry, meat or dairy sources. Supplements and enriched foods such as fortified cereals are available for vegetarians.
* Deficiency can cause anemia (especially in vegetarians and the elderly) and nerve damage.
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Vitamin C
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(Citrus Fruits)
Apples
Avocado
Bananas
Berries
Cantaloupe
Grapes
Guava
Kiwi
Lemon and Lime
Orange
Peach
Strawberry
Tomatoes Watermelon
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(Especially in the cabbage family and leafy green vegetables)
Artichoke
Asparagus
Broccoli
Carrots
Cauliflower
Corn
Cucumber
Red Pepper
Kale
Lima Beans
Onions
Peas
Potatoes
Spinach
Squash
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No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin C
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* Vitamin C is an important antioxidant. It protects body tissue from the damage of oxidation.
* It is needed to form collagen, a tissue that helps to hold cells together.
* It helps the body absorb iron and calcium.
* It's essential for healthy bones, teeth, gums, blood vessels, muscle and nerve function, and wound healing.
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* Calcium fortified cereals and orange juice are another source of vitamin C.
* Deficiency can cause muscle weakness, bleeding gums, easy bruising. In extreme cases can cause scurvy.
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Vitamin D
Exposure to sun enables body to make its own Vitamin D.
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No fruits contain vitamin D
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Mushrooms
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No nuts contain a significant amount of vitamin D
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* Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin" since it is manufactured by the body after being exposed to sunshine. 10-15 min of sunshine 3 X a week is adequate.
* It strengthens bones and teeth because it helps the body in the absorption of calcium and magnesium.
* It also helps maintain adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.
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* D-fortified soy milk and cereals are a good source.
* Deficiency can cause rickets in children, bone softening in adults, osteoporosis.
* Overdose can cause calcium deposits in organs, fragile bones, renal and cardiovascular damage.
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Vitamin E
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Apples
Bananas
Blackberries
Kiwi
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(Green leafy vegetables)
Brown Rice
Vegetable Oils
Soybean Oil
Wheat Germ
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Almonds
Brazil Nuts
Pine Nuts
Peanuts
Sunflower Seeds
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* Vitamin E is an antioxidant and defends cells against damage by free radicals, protecting body tissue from the damage of oxidation.
* It is important for the health of red blood cells and the use of vitamin K.
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* Deficiency is rare. It can be seen primarily in premature or low birth weight babies, or children who do not absorb fat properly. Causes nerve abnormalities.
* It is used cosmetically to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and to help heal minor wounds without scarring.
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Vitamin K
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No fruits contain vitamin K
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(Dark green leafy vegetables)
Cauliflower
Collard Greens
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Kale
Spinach
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Cashews
Chestnuts
Hazelnuts
Pine Nuts
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* Vitamin K is fat soluble. It plays a critical role in blood clotting.
* It regulates blood calcium levels and activates at least 3 proteins involved in bone health.
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* Vitamin K Fortified Cereals are a good source.
* Deficiency can cause defective blood coagulation.
* Overdose can cause Jaundice in infants.
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