Eating more veggies doesn’t have to be a chore, but it can be a tough habit to get into at first. If you are hoping to boost your vegetable intake, but don’t want to eat a salad for every meal, there are other ways to ensure you get quality nutrients in foods you already eat. These five ideas will help you eat more fresh veggies—without sacrificing your favorite flavors.
Use Veggies for Your Protein
Meat eaters tend to load up on their favorite protein, often pushing room off the plate that could be used for veggies. For one meal a week, try to get your protein straight from veggies themselves. You don’t need to opt for a fancy vegan patty to do it. Keep things simple at first by using beans, lentils, or edamame as an essential ingredient in your dish. You’ll feel full and satisfied through the added fiber and plant-based proteins.
Use Vegetables as your Rice or Pasta
While there’s nothing wrong with having some delicious starchy carbs with your meal, sometimes you will be in the mood for a lighter option. On those days, creative vegetable substitutions come into play. Cauliflower rice and spiralized zucchini noodles are both delicious options to get in your veggies without losing the flavor of your dish.
Add to Your Smoothies
Zucchini, cauliflower, cucumber, spinach and kale all make excellent additions to your morning fruit smoothie without comprising the flavor. The next time you want a delicious fruit smoothie, add a handful of a vegetable of your choice to pack in an extra punch of nutrients.
DIY Veggie Tray
Store bought party trays can be an expensive convenience, but they can be a great way to make vegetables an appealing snack. Create your own veggie tray. Precut and washed items ready in the fridge make it easy to grab some vegetables as a snack instead of a bag of chips or candy.
Soups and Sauces
Soups and sauces are the perfect place to add-in some extra vegetables. Choose hardy roots and greens for soups and let them simmer before serving. For sauces, precook your favorite vegetable and toss them in after chopping them for a chunkier sauce. If you want a sauce that is smooth and creamy, consider pureeing veggies like butternut squash or cauliflower and mixing it into your normal sauce recipe.
Whether you start small and try to incorporate one or two ideas in your week, or go big and try a new option each day, you’re sure to get into the habit of more veggies in no time.
