Eating Your Greens Made Easy

For many people, the concept of getting in your daily vegetable intake is not on the top of their to-do lists. I am sure most of us grew up being told that we can’t have dessert unless you finish your green beans, etc. Nowadays, it is a lot easier to incorporate spices and healthy fats in order to make your veggies taste great. 

According to the CDC, two to three cups of vegetables per day is recommended in order to have a healthy eating pattern.1 This may seem like a lot, but getting the recommended amount is much easier than you think. When family members ask me how to get more vegetables into my daily diet, the first thing I say is to include vegetables in every meal, or close to every meal (yes, even breakfast!).  Here are a few, easy ways to include vegetables in your daily meals. Check out our great recipes https://eatsmartmovemoreva.org/recipes/ for great recipes!

Female hand pours a smoothie of banana and spinach

Adding greens to smoothies gives a hearty boost of nutrients!

Breakfast:
  • Smoothies
  • Egg or egg white scrambles
  • Breakfast burritos/tacos
Lunch:
  • Salads, but make them fun 
  • Wraps
  • Grain-bowls or taco bowls
  • Sandwiches
Dinner:
  • Soups/stews
  • Pasta dishes 
  • Side salads
  • Roast or grill
Snacks:
  • Veggies & Hummus 
  • Salsa 
  • Baked goods 

As you can see, there are a ton of different ways to get your greens in fun and tasty ways. The key to getting in your daily vegetable intake is variety and making it taste good while still keeping it healthy. There are more vegetables out there than just string beans and broccoli, and enough vegetables to have a different one every day of the week! By switching up the type of vegetables you eat, you will not only be keeping your taste buds on their toes, but also allow you to branch out. You may even find a vegetable you fall in love with! Don’t be afraid to spice up your vegetables with red pepper flakes, garlic, onion, or other low-sodium spice mixes. You can also try grilling, baking, or steaming your veggies.

I get it, eating a salad every day is not the most exciting meal, but with these new ideas I hope it can spark some creative and delicious new ideas about how you can eat your vegetables every day!

By Avi Pelly

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