Eat your vegetables!

(1) your parents are always telling you to eat your vegetables, and you’re always rolling your eyes at them—right? (2) it looks as though science is supporting their position. (3) eating vegetables is possibly the single best way to stay healthy now and in years to come.

(4) vegetables contain chemicals called antioxidants that are believed to stop certain cancers before they even start. (5) this means that eating vegetables now could prevent you from getting a terrible life-threatening disease. (6) are you still rolling your eyes? (7) let’s look at the facts: vitamin c is an antioxidant. (8) it your body fix itself after periods of illness or stress. (9) you probably thought oranges were the only source of vitamin c. (10) but they’re not! (11) vitamin c can be found in artichokes, avocados, broccoli, carrots, and many more vegetables! (12) tomatoes are technically a fruit, but they are a great source of both vitamin c and an antioxidant called lycopene that can you avoid vision problems.

(13) so why not just take vitamin c pills? (14) not so fast. (15) the best source of the vitamin is the original source. (16) research has also substantiated claims that pre-cut vegetables contain fewer vitamins than whole vegetables that you cut yourself. (17) what’s more, the actual vegetables are also a good source of fiber. (18) most americans are fiber deficient; their diets lack the amount of fiber necessary to ward off various health problems. (19) just like the muscles in your arms and legs, the muscles in your digestive system need exercise. (20) eating enough fiber is the best way to get your digestive system working on a regular, consistent schedule.

(21) how about vegetarians who say, “well, look at me! (22) i don’t eat any meat. (23) i’m a healthy person! ” (24) that may be true, but since the human body can digest meat, it’s healthier to choose an omnivorous diet. (25) vegetarians must get the right combination of amino acids, which add up to form proteins, which is present in meat. (26) people need protein in their diet. (27) that means paying attention to what you eat in combination with your vegetables. (28) for example, green spinach and beans and brown rice create a perfectly balanced meal. (29) this meal includes a complete protein and a good dose of antioxidants that will keep your body healthy!

5

read sentence 5 from the passage.
this means that eating vegetables now could prevent you from getting a terrible life-threatening disease.
what is the best way to punctuate sentence 5?

a. this means that, eating vegetables now could prevent you from getting a terrible life-threatening disease.

b. this means that eating vegetables now could prevent you from getting a terrible, life-threatening disease.

c. this means that eating vegetables now, could prevent you from getting a terrible life-threatening disease.

d. this means that eating vegetables now could prevent you from getting a terrible, life-threatening, disease.