5 Simple Ways to Add Veggies to Your Day
We’ve all heard it. “Eat your vegetables!” But why should we? How much should we? How can we do it? All valid questions! In a nutshell, eating lots of fruit and vegetables helps keep our bowels healthy, can keep us from getting sick, and can prevent diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Eat every color of the rainbow throughout the week to make sure you are getting all those healthy vitamins, minerals and other plant nutrients. Eat as many vegetables every day as you can. Eat them at every meal and snack. Now, for some veggie ideas filled with tasty goodness!
- Feeling adventurous at breakfast? Try mashing some canned white beans with a squeeze of lemon juice and dash of olive oil. Spread on whole-grain toast or a whole-grain bagel. Top with a slice of tomato for extra deliciousness.
- Frozen vegetables are your best friend, and they bring extra nutrition to what you are already eating. Frozen shortly after harvest, budget-friendly frozen vegetables keep nutrients ready for you! Always keep some in the freezer, because they can be added to so many different things. Making a can of soup? Toss some frozen vegetables in while warming up. Add veggies to stews, casseroles, frozen meals, rice (yes, rice!!), and pasta sauces while preparing them. The added fiber from the vegetables will help you feel fuller longer.
- Pick up ready-to-eat vegetables at the grocery like cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, snap peas, or celery sticks. Have some raw vegetables as part of a snack or with your lunch. Pair your veggies with hummus, peanut butter, or low-fat, plain Greek yogurt to add some variety and protein.
- Always make a double batch of vegetables for your dinner meal. Use the leftovers in your eggs or a frittata for breakfast. Or use them in a cold vegetable salad with your favorite dressing for lunch the next day.
