It’s important to eat vegetables for our health.

[diamondcutter]

Context:
Little Tom and his older brother Mike are having dinner together. Little Tom is only eating meat, not any vegetables. I think Mike could say the following to his little brother.
A. It’s important to eat vegetables for our health.
B. Eating vegetables is important for our health.

I think there’s a slight difference between sentence A and sentence B.
If Mike says A, he is eager to see his little brother to take his advice and eat vegetables at once. That is to say, A sounds more like a piece of advice. If Mike says B, it seems that he just tells a fact, which is not obligatory.
I’d like to read you comments on my understanding.

 

[Tarheel]

Mike probably wants Tom to eat his vegetables, or he wouldn't have said anything. However, neither sentence is very emphatic. If he wanted to make a stronger statement he might say, for example:

You need to eat your vegetables.

Mike wants Tom to eat his vegetables. Other than that I wouldn't read too much into either statement.

 

[jutfrank]

I think there is something in what you've said, yes.

 

[Tdol]

Mike could use the expression Eat your greens.