When I first came to live the U.S. for a year in 2006, I remembered living with my American host family who had been eating carnivorously: every meal is roughly 50% meat, 30% carbs, and 20% vegetables. Protein and carbs are main components of each dish, with veggie as just a side thought.

However, when I came to live in the U.S. again in 2015, food trends had changed drastically from. America was no longer a nation of primarily junk food. People have become more health-conscious, particularly about what they eat. Real, whole foods and a more balanced diet are increasingly popular among consumers’ choices.

This shift in food thinking is not only about how we eat, but about how we change our lifestyle, buying, cooking, and dining choices. This is a great news to hear as we are shifting toward eating better. Specifically, consumers are paying attention to eating more greens, and not primarily meat. In fact, statistics show that many segments of the population have increased fruit and vegetable consumption by at least 5% since 2004.

Besides the obvious tremendous benefits to health, below are three reasons why consuming vegetables are great for other causes.

Coffee is a staple in many of our routines. We rely on it to wake us up and power us through our 2 p.m. brain fog. But after the caffeine rush wears off, our brains are left cloudier.

To combat the fog, we’ve compiled a list of foods that help you focus. As a perk, all of these options are quick and easy solutions for at-work munching. (And some are excellent alternatives to coffee…)

Bowls are the newest lunch craze they’re here to stay. Much more satisfying than salads, bowls are packed with nourishing and tasty ingredients that help you push through the end of the work day.

Bowls easy to assemble and transport, which is why they are one of our favorite options for a healthy lunch. Unlike salads, which are built on a base of lettuce, bowls are built on a mixed base of grains and proteins, which are proven to keep you full and energized.

Another perk of bowls? You don’t need many ingredients to mix up your healthy lunch from day-to-day. To make a simple single serving size bowl, we recommend following this easy guide: