(HealthDay News) -- Since childhood, lots of people have heard the parental plea to eat their fruits and vegetables.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers this insight on why eating fruits and veggies is so important:

• Eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help prevent chronic diseases, including cancer, research indicates.
• Most fruits and vegetables offer great nutritional benefit while contributing little to your daily fat and calorie intake.
• At the same time, they help you stay full, helping you to maintain a healthy body weight and prevent excessive weight gain.
• Fruits and vegetables are rich in the minerals, vitamins and fiber your body needs.

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