From the time we are little, everyone from our mothers to our doctors preaches about the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables. Now a government-sponsored Web site is making it easier to get more of these foods into your diet.

"Fruits and Veggies: More Matters" is an effort to highlight the important role that fruits and vegetables play in good health. The site is the result of a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH).

On average, Americans eat far too few servings of fruits and vegetables, according to the CDC and PBH. Plant foods are rich in fiber and in nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, potassium and magnesium. They have no cholesterol and generally have little or no fat; some, such as avocados and olives, are rich in "good" monounsaturated fats.

Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are believed to lower the risk of diseases including stroke, other cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

The "Fruits and Veggies: More Matters" site offers features that can help you incorporate more produce into your diet, including shopping tips, recipes and cooking tips. Calculated charts allow you to discover how many cups of fruits and vegetables you should eat each day based on your age and activity level. For example, a 35-year-old woman who is not very active should consume 1.5 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables each day.