5 EASY WAYS TO EAT MORE VEGETABLES
Although you may believe you follow a relatively healthy diet, the truth is that three-fourths of the entire U.S. population has an eating pattern that lacks the recommended amounts of dairy, oils, fruits, and vegetables. And while many children don’t enjoy eating vegetables, most adults are expected to finish all of the veggies on their plates. But what if this important nutritional component doesn’t make it to the table to begin with? Whether you’re simply too busy to shop, haven’t found the right cooking method, or simply don’t know which veggies you might actually like eating, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of creating quick meals that are high in carbs and sugar and low in fiber, vitamins, and other essential nutrients.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. Incorporating vegetables into your diet may be a lot easier than you’d think. With the following five ideas in mind, you’ll start embracing healthy food recipes and soon won’t be able to get enough of these ingredients.
- Sneak Them Into Smoothies: Lots of healthy restaurants have embraced wholesome smoothies and juices, so there’s no reason you can’t follow suit. But rather than make a beverage solely out of fruits, you can easily add some veggies to the recipe (and be none the wiser upon tasting). By combining fruits like apples and oranges with veggies like spinach, kale, carrots, or beets, you’ll be able to drink your veggies and start your day off on the right note.
- Make a Colorful Breakfast: Speaking of starting your day off on the right note, breakfast is the ideal meal to use up all those veggies in your fridge. Whether you have leftovers from the easy dinners you’ve made throughout the week or you’re struggling to use the bell peppers and onions you purchased at the store, eggs and toast will make a great vehicle for these items. They’ll make your breakfast much less boring and you’ll probably feel more energized as a result.
- Ditch the Pasta Noodles: Big pasta dinners are always enjoyable, but they’re often a carbohydrate heavy meal. If you’re looking for quick dinner ideas with an Italian flair but that are a bit lighter in feel, you can swap out your conventional noodles for ones made with veggies. “Zoodles” (made from zucchini) have become incredibly popular, but you can use a spiralizer to turn beets, turnips, carrots, or even sweet potatoes into a healthier version of spaghetti or linguine.
- Opt For Lettuce Instead of Bread: This one’s been a low-carb staple for a number of years, but it really is a great way to ensure you won’t fill up on bread. As an added bonus, you’ll get an extra veggie for your efforts. Rather than using a roll or thick slices of bread, try using lettuce, Swiss chard, or cabbage leaves. It’ll provide some crunch and a bit of fiber. You can even use them as a substitute for taco shells!
- Get Veggies or Meals Delivered: A great way to ensure your family can enjoy easy dinners loaded with veggies? Get the ingredients or meals delivered right to your door. By joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) organization, you’ll always have fresh, local produce to provide inspiration for your family meals. And when you’re too busy to cook, you might consider having some easy dinners delivered or picked up as a much healthier alternative to frozen or fast food. By having these items on-hand, you’ll never have to use convenience as an excuse to make unhealthy choices.
Ready to learn how our easy dinners can instantly help you make better choices for your family? Contact us today for additional information.