(BlackDoctor.org) -- It’s a fact that most of us don’t get our recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Which, in turn, means that we are also missing out on a whole lot of nutrients that are essential to a healthy diet.

According to a recent 2-year USDA study, the following are some of the most important essentials that we are continually missing out on:

 

1. What You’re Missing: Fiber (recommended daily allowance is 22-34 grams)

 

When I think about preventative health I immediately think about the power of good nutrition. Unfortunately, although we all know and understand the connection, we face an ongoing battle to make the right choices when it comes to what we eat. Often, when we feel unwell, the first thought is to reach for an over-the-counter medication, prescription drug or worse yet, more of the very "comfort food" that has made us unwell in the first place. It seems that many of today's illnesses are preventable, many of them are food related (consider the diabetes epidemic) and many of them disproportionately impact people of color. If, like me, you struggle with making good food choices then consider that it is time to make a change. Start with modelling for your (our) children. Often, what we can't do for ourselves we can do for our kids. Begin by being aware that every time you eat a healthy meal they will learn from you. Shop with them in mind, ease them into a different mindset, and bring yourself along with them. Gradual change is more effective and there will be less resistance. Remember how hard you worked to eat well during your pregnancy and ask yourself, "what changed now that they are here?"