Become a veggie lover in no time with our creative healthy eating tips!
What’s your veggie story? Maybe you never quite learned to love them. Perhaps you’re just tired of eating the same ol’ vegetable dishes over and over. The good news is that you can find new ways to incorporate nutrient-packed, body-loving vegetables into your daily routine.
Vegetables are a sticking point for many women when it comes to making positive changes in eating habits. After all, it’s far easier to eat a banana or an apple when you’re on the go. Veggies don’t always seem to lend themselves to a busy lifestyle. But the fact is that vegetables are a must-have. Many are superfoods, nourishing our cells with essential nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber—the things your body needs to lose weight, tone muscle, and reduce the risk of chronic or life-threatening diseases. Check out these 6 creative ways to add more veggies to your diet.
Try veggie-heavy recipes by adding these to your menu plan: Chunky Turkey and Vegetable Soup, Slow Cooker Herb Chicken and Vegetables, and Quinoa and Vegetable Stir-Fry.
1. Sneak them into breakfast.
When it comes to eating a healthy breakfast, many of us reach for whole grains, fruit, and protein—why not invite veggies to the party, too? Scrambled eggs or omelets are the perfect foundation for vegetables. Creative veggie add-ins include onions, zucchini, asparagus, and peppers. Another option is to toss leftovers from a veggie side dish into your eggs. Or try these healthy breakfast recipes: Crustless Vegetable Quiche or Crustless Asparagus Quiche.
2. Add them to pasta sauces.
This is a super-easy way to add veggies to your diet, but it’s also a smart way to get more into kids’ bellies. Add peppers, onions, mushrooms, green beans, or carrots to your favorite healthy spaghetti sauce—we like no-sugar-added brands. Or mix vegetables into this clean eating Basic Marinara Sauce. If the kids balk at chunky-style veggies, grate the produce (this works really well with carrots and zucchini) or dice it so it’s less noticeable.
3. Love your salsa.
Think salsa is just for chips? Not so fast. Use chunky, no-sugar-added salsa on top of grilled chicken, as a baked potato topping, mixed in with morning eggs, or on top of a lunchtime sandwich. Try the spicy tropical salsa included with this tilapia recipe.
4. Drink your vegetables.
We’re not talking about overly-sugared store-bought stuff. We’re talking smoothies. These drinks are a tasty way to add good-for-you foods to your diet. Try one of these healthy smoothies with veggies: Mediterranean Smoothie, Superfoods Smoothie, SkinnyLicious Protein Smoothie, or Cleanse & Detox Smoothie.
5. Eat a green salad before dinner.
One of the easiest ways to include more veggies in your diet is to enjoy a salad before dinner as often as possible. Not only does it add more vegetable power to the menu plan, it also fills you up so you’re less likely to eat too much of the main course.
6. Make salad the main course.
A salad entrée is a refreshing alternative to heavier meals. For example, enjoy this Garden Salad with Lemon and Oil Dressing on its own or add in a few slices of grilled chicken. Limit the use of processed dressings because they can be high in sugar, fat, or calories. Instead, mix your own with our Clean Eating Caesar Dressing or 3 Easy Vinaigrette Recipes.
These creative ways to include more veggies in your diet will help you take control of your health so you look and feel fabulous.
Do you love Pinterest? We do! Follow our Pinterest boards for easy access to delicious, good-for-you recipes, clean eating tips, and all the resources you need to make positive changes in your life. Visit us on Facebook, too.
