Eat More Veggies!

Remember these tips to increase the veggies in your diet, and to actually enjoy eating them!  Chock full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, no wonder the USDA recommends that half your plate be filled with fruits and vegetables. Make it easy and tasty, with these tricks and recipes.

1.  Eat with the seasons. This usually means you are eating food that is locally grown or even grown in your backyard.  The seasonality of your favorite vegetables makes you appreciate and anticipate when they will be in season so you can devour them before they are gone!

2.  Don't forget frozen vegetables.  Stock your freezer with them, its another great way to make sure you are eating enough.  Studies show that nutrients in frozen vegetables are "locked-in" following the freezing process.  You are also more likely to include vegetables with dinner on a busy night if they are at the ready in your freezer. 

3.  If at first you don't succeed...try, try again.  Getting your kids to eat their veggies can be tricky, but don't get discouraged if they refuse them the first couple of times.  It can take up to 15 times or even a few months to develop a taste for a new vegetable, so keep offering them.  And set a good example by eating them yourself.

4.  Dress them up.  If serving veggies with a little butter, melted cheese or ranch dressing will help your family to eat them then by all means go for it!  Adding a little bit of fat to vegetables helps to unlock their fat-soluble nutrients and a few extra calories is worth the additional nutrient boost you will be getting.

5.  Give them a disguise.  Whether or not you need to trick someone into eating them, it is still a great idea to fortify foods with vegetables whenever possible.  Muffins, pasta sauces and smoothies will still taste amazing even if you sneak in a little pumpkin puree or spinach.  You will be surprised at how much you can get away with!

6.  Take your veggies on the road.    We all find ourselves eating on the run, whether its at work or on the way to soccer practice.  Take along containers of crunch cucumbers, celery, radishes and carrots so you can get a nutritious veggie fix while curbing your hunger.