The year 2020 changed our lifestyles and the way to look at life due to pandemic which spreads to at least 240 countries and territories. Well the bright side of 2021 is, this year is celebrated as  INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES by United Nations (UN) General Assembly.  Plants are the main source of food for all the living being on this earth. Fruits and Vegetables are the main source of vitamins and minerals which are very essential for the growth and development of the body. 

So what are fruits and vegetables - According to botany, fruit is formed from the ovary after flowering in the plant. Unlike fruits every part of vegetable plants are edible viz. flower - broccoli, cauliflower; fruit - tomato, capsicum, eggplant, bottle gourd; leaves - all leafy green vegetables; roots - cassava, carrot, radish, kohlrabi; seeds - peas, beans, cowpea. Vegetables are available throughout the year on the other side different fruits are available in different season like watermelon, grapes, mangoes in summer season; cranberries, apples, blueberries, litchi in monsoon season whereas winters are flooded with oranges, guava, pineapple, strawberry. Seasonal fruits are cheap available during that particular season when compared to  off season. 

Importance of fruits and vegetables in our diet - Our diet becomes monotonous and boring if included with only rice and dal on every day basis on contrary green, red, purple, yellow fruits and vegetables adds a variety to our diet as these are bonanza of minerals and vitamins with  immense health benefits. 

1. Iron is very essential for making red blood vessels and these vessels carries oxygen around the body. For a good immunity iron is also needed. Green leafy vegetables, potatoes, curry leaves, mint, tomatoes, peas, beans, mulberries, dates, olives are rich source of iron
2. Zinc is required for the function of over 300 enzymes, which are involved in many important process besides maintaining immune system, nutrients metabolizes and also to repairs body tissue. Cow pea, peas, okra, zucchini, guavas, avocados, kiwis, peaches, apricots, blueberries are store house of zinc.
3. Spinach, turnip green, kale, peas, okra, sweet potatoes, beans, passion fruit, oranges, kiwis, papayas, mulberries, guavas, black berries are stock of calcium. Calcium is needed for maintaining strong bones and teeth, nerve to nerve communications and stimulating muscle attraction.
4. Foods rich source of vitamin C are amla, guava, mango, raw mango, drum stick leaves, lemons, drum sticks, cauliflower, papaya, chillies, radish amaranth leaves. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, bone & teeth calcification and as a reducing agent in many other reactions in the body. 
5. Vitamin A is not present as retinol in vegetables and fruits. The fruits and vegetables contains yellow pigments called carotenes which are converted as Vitamin A in the body. It is very essential for the clear vision. Carrot, drum stick leaves, amaranth leaves, curry leaves, sweet potatoes, spinach, radish leaves, red chillies, mango, papaya.
6. For children growth and development, longer life, better mental, healthy heart and reducing the risks of cancer and obesity and to improve immunity consumption of fruits and vegetables are very much needed. 
7. According World Health Organization, one needs to consume total of 400 g of fruits and vegetables but we consumed very minute amount of it. 
8. Despite of immense benefits, consumptions levels are very low due to many reasons like these are perishable and fetch higher prices when compared to non perishable communities like cereals, pulses and oil seeds. Lack of awareness and nutritional importance of fruits and vegetables for the growth and development of children, teens, adult, for pregnancy women and people suffering with major health issues who need extra nutrition.
9. Further more fruits & vegetables are not obtain around the year in the markets, so the best way is to processed them and have them in the from of jams, jellies, juices, pickles and canned products.
10. Let's make a toast for International year of Fruits & Vegetables - 2021 by eating more and more fruits & veggies. 

             Happy International year of Fruits and Vegetables