One area that a lot of people struggle with when it comes to health is getting in the recommended number of servings of vegetables a day. Most health experts agree that 5 servings are ideal, yet most people have a problem consuming just one or two. How do you increase your numbers without dreading meal time?
Here are three ways to make veggies that make you go “Mmm” versus those that make you scrunch up your nose and say “Yuck”:
#1: Sauté them in olive oil
If you’re one who doesn’t get excited about plain, raw veggies, then this may be just what you need to make them palatable enough to want to eat them. The nice thing is that you can prepare everything from beans to broccoli to carrots this way. Essentially, it’s like you’re stir frying them which takes them to a whole new level. Sprinkle them with a little sea salt or lemon pepper once they’re cooked and your taste buds will sing.
#2: Mix up a healthy dip
No one says that you have to eat veggies plain to get nutrients from them. In fact, sometimes just a little bit of fat will help your body digest them even better. Some great dips to try include non-fat or low-fat plain Greek yogurt mixed with dill (which is wonderful with cucumbers and celery) or hummus (which goes well with most any veggie you want to cut up). Be creative and mix tastes that you enjoy.
#3: Don’t be afraid to try something new
When you think of vegetables, do you get stuck at celery and carrots and can think of nothing else? If so, it’s no wonder that eating these nutritious foods don’t excite you. Instead of limiting yourself to one or two veggies that you’re not in love with, try to find ones that you are. Spend some time in the fresh produce section at the supermarket and pick out something you’ve never made before. Who knows? You may discover that there are vegetables out there that you actually like!
Getting in your daily veggies doesn’t have to be a dreaded activity. Try these three things and it wont be!
