4 Tips on Incorporating More Vegetables Into Your Meals
We know vegetables are good for us, but how often do we eat them? Unfortunately, for most people, the answer is not nearly enough. So if you want to live a healthier lifestyle and incorporate more vegetables into your meals, you must find ways to make them exciting and enjoyable. In this post, we will share four simple tips that can help increase your vegetable intake today!
Photo by Wendy Wei from Pexels
Always Plan Ahead
When planning your meals for the week, don’t forget about adding in some extra vegetables. Use everything from colourful bell peppers and carrots to leafy greens such as spinach or kale. You can even use certain fruits like berries which are also packed with nutrients! Sticking a few more veggies into each meal will add up quickly over time – without costing you much money or effort at all. If you’re not already doing this regularly, try creating one new vegetable side dish recipe that you incorporate into your weekly menu plan. It could be anything from roasted broccoli florets sprinkled with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese to a simple mixed green salad with carrots and cranberries. The sky’s the limit!
Experiment with Flavours
If you’re eating the same old steamed broccoli every week, it’s time for a change! Experimenting with different spices and seasonings can add tons of flavour to your vegetables without adding lots of extra calories. For example, try something like grilling some zucchini slices instead of baking them in the oven – they will come out much softer than before but still have that grilled taste which is so delicious. Another great way to incorporate more flavours into your dishes while still enjoying healthy ingredients is through cooking methods such as sautéing or stir-frying like when you learn how to make shrimp creole. Both are quick ways to cook food at high temperatures using just a tiny amount of oil and butter (or none at all!)
Get Creative in the Kitchen
If you’re not a fan of vegetables, it’s likely because you’ve never given them a chance. Most people who say they don’t like vegetables have only ever tried eating them cooked in one specific way – and that’s no fun! There are many different ways to prepare veggies; all you need is a little creativity. For example, try roasting cauliflower florets with olive oil and sea salt instead of boiling them. The high heat from the oven will bring out the cauliflower’s natural sweetness and make it crispy on the outside. If you’re struggling to find new recipes or ideas for cooking your veggies, there are plenty of cookbooks and websites out there that can help.
Explore New Types of Vegetables
One of the best ways to get more vegetables into your diet is simply trying new types of them. If you’re used to eating just a few different kinds, it can be challenging to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. However, by expanding your horizons and trying some new vegetables, you’ll not only add variety to your meals but also increase your nutrient intake without even realizing it! Some great examples include edamame (young soybeans), sugar snap peas, Brussels sprouts, and artichokes. With such a wide variety of veggies out there waiting to be discovered, there’s no excuse not to try something new at least once a week.
Incorporating more vegetables into your meals is easier than you might think. The key to success lies in making small, manageable changes over time and experimenting with various cooking techniques (and flavor combinations) until you find something that works for you. Enjoy!
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This is a contributed post