Tips to Eating More Vegetables
- Think variety:
- Don't be afraid to try something new. Add kidney beans or black-eyed peas to your next soup, stew, or salad.
- Appeal to your senses:
- Most people prefer crunchy foods over mushy foods. Try serving vegetables raw, lightly steamed, or microwaved. Serving vegetebles in this manner is not only delicious but it also retains more of the valuable nutrients that may decrease during cooking.
- Consider convenience:
- Nowadays you can buy vegitables that are pre-cut and packaged for minimal preperation and quick eating. Pick up a bag of salad greens and some baby carrots and have salad in seconds.
- Offer dips or dressing on the side:
- Many veggies taste great with a dip or dressing. Try low-fat salad dressing with raw broccoli, red and green peppers, or cauliflower.
- Add veggies to your favorite foods:
- Shred carrots or zucchini into meatloaf or casseroles. Include chopped veggies in pasta sauce or lasagna. Order a veggie pizza.
- Keep Veggies around and in sight:
- Studies show that families that have veggies around eat more of them. So keep veggies visible. Keep cut-up carrots and celery sticks in a clear container in the refrigerator.
- Use veggies as an ingredient:
- Add pureed, cooked veggies to thicken stews and soups. These add additional flavors and textures to foods.
- Think salad:
- Try a salad for lunch or mixed greens along with your dinner. Many veggies taste great in salads - try something different, like baby spinach, garbonzo beans, cauliflower, or red cabbage.
- Snack on veggies:
- For a crunchy snack, try baby carrots or celery.
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