(Presse Canadienne) — If all Quebecers consumed the five to 10 daily recommended portions of fruits and vegetables, the province would save $70 million dollars on health-care costs every year, according to a study done by the Quebec Association of Fruits and Vegetable Distributors.
The amount saved would allow the hiring of 1,500 additional nurses, says association president Sophie Perreault.
However, she concedes Quebecers are more likely than the rest of Canadians to eat fruits and vegetables.
The association is trying to raise awareness to the benefits of healthy eating as a way to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, stroke, heart conditions and respiratory diseases.
“Fruits and vegetables are not a pill,” Perrault said. “It’s nice to eat, it smells good, it’s colourful, it’s a pleasure for the taste buds.” (…)