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Veggies help build your body’s immunity to fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more. They are loaded with nutrients and fiber. Your daily diet should consist of five to nine servings of these disease-fighting vegetables.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are actually a fruit but most people considered them to be a vegetable. Not only do they provide a good source of vitamins A to K, they also contain the cancer-fighting nutrient lycopene. This important nutrient helps maintain our blood pressure and protects against free radicals in our bodies. Lycopene is found in most red foods so load up your next burger with ketchup and get extra pizza sauce on your favorite calzone.

Broccoli

This cruciferous vegetable is one of the best foods to boost your immunity to ward off colds and flus. Packed full of the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C and folate, broccoli can also help reduce the risk of stomach, lung and rectal cancers.

Brussels Sprouts

These tiny green heads of lettuce are full of fiber and packed with vitamins C and K, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain the important prenatal vitamin folic acid that prevents neural tube defects. Try baking Brussels Sprouts at 400° for 35 minutes (toss in light spray of olive oil and seasoning and place on cookie sheet).

Carrots

The orange property of carrots provides powerful carotenoids that are beneficial eye, skin and hair-enriching nutrients. They are a rich source of the important antioxidants vitamin A and C. These vitamins and carotenoids help protect your cardiovascular system from free-radical damage.

Squash

Who knew that squash is anti-inflammatory food? This amazing vegetable is rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber. It is also a nutrient-rich source of vitamin C and beta-carotene that can help reduce asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.