10 Ways to Add More Vegetables to Your Diet
It's not just kids who push peas around their plate! A new report from the Centers for Disease Control says more than three-quarters of Americans aren't eating enough veggies. Five servings a day might seem daunting, but one serving is only a measly 1/2 cup (or 1 cup of greens like lettuce and spinach). Eating your veggies shouldn’t be painful or even unpleasant – here are 10 ways to love them.
Instead of just lettuce and tomato, load up sandwiches with crunchy sliced cucumber or thin strips of bell pepper.
You can get a day’s worth of veggies by blending them into soup. Try these healthy and fast soup recipes.
Sautéed greens like spinach, Swiss chard or kale make delightful pizza toppers.
Munch on baby carrots and celery with peanut butter, hummus or green goddess dip.
Keep a batch of eggplant spread on hand for a flavorful and light sandwich topping.
Make it a house rule to always have some sort of salad with dinner – a bowl of cherry tomatoes or some sliced cucumber counts!
Hit up the farmers’ market and try a new veggie each week.
Don’t forget about vegetables at breakfast! Add your favorites to omelets, egg sandwiches, or bagels with cream cheese.
Just like soups, tomato sauce counts too! Learn tips to make your own or use our test test results to shop for the healthiest options.
Add bite-sized pieces of roasted zucchini, onion, butternut squash, peppers or broccoli to pasta and enjoy hot or cold.
Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana's full bio »