Let's face it. Some of us don't like vegetables any more than our toddlers do. Just because we're grown up doesn't mean our palates have. Most adults do not get enough servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that our bodies need. Here are some ways to fool yourself into eating the healthy stuff and make some easy substitutions so you get less of the bad stuff, without compromising taste.
1. Dip, dip, dip! Raw veggies are so much more endurable if you have some sort of dressing for them. Ranch and Italian salad dressings work well. To pack an extra nutritional punch, use peanut butter instead (it has fat just like salad dressings, but you get more protein). Its strong flavor also helps mask the veggie taste you may not like.
2. Green smoothies. You can cram several cups of fresh spinach in your blender along with the traditional fruits, yogurt, and ice when making smoothies. You still get the flavor of a fruit smoothie with an added tang. Drink it up in a minute and you can check several servings of fruits and vegetables off of your daily list in no time!
3. Sundried tomatoes. These are sweet and can kick up a salad the same way dried cranberries do, but without the
added sugar. They also are a great addition to pasta, and tasty straight out of the bag!
4. Top with cheese. A little Swiss, cheddar, or parmesan goes along way, dressing up the look and taste of your vegetables.
5. Hate 'em raw? Roast 'em! Coarsely chop sweet bell peppers, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini, and toss with garlic and olive oil. Roasting them in the oven brings out some delicious flavor, and the softer texture will help you to consume them faster (and get it over with, instead of crunching on raw veggies endlessly).
6. Add them to foods you eat normally. Fresh or frozen green beans, broccoli, and carrots can be added easily to pasta dishes, disguised by the pasta sauce. Even if it's just a handful sprinkled here or there, it will make a difference.
7. Avoid the refined sugar. You'll be amazed at how much you'll savor fresh fruit the way you used to crave ice cream and candy.
The FDA recently changed their dietary guidelines slogan from "5-A-Day" to "More Matters." Even if you can't get five fruits and vegetables in every day, just do a little more than you have been. It will do your body and spirit a world of good. So next time you try to sneak something green into your child's mouth, stop and try to do the same thing for yourself!
1. Dip, dip, dip! Raw veggies are so much more endurable if you have some sort of dressing for them. Ranch and Italian salad dressings work well. To pack an extra nutritional punch, use peanut butter instead (it has fat just like salad dressings, but you get more protein). Its strong flavor also helps mask the veggie taste you may not like.
2. Green smoothies. You can cram several cups of fresh spinach in your blender along with the traditional fruits, yogurt, and ice when making smoothies. You still get the flavor of a fruit smoothie with an added tang. Drink it up in a minute and you can check several servings of fruits and vegetables off of your daily list in no time!
3. Sundried tomatoes. These are sweet and can kick up a salad the same way dried cranberries do, but without the
4. Top with cheese. A little Swiss, cheddar, or parmesan goes along way, dressing up the look and taste of your vegetables.
5. Hate 'em raw? Roast 'em! Coarsely chop sweet bell peppers, potatoes, carrots, and zucchini, and toss with garlic and olive oil. Roasting them in the oven brings out some delicious flavor, and the softer texture will help you to consume them faster (and get it over with, instead of crunching on raw veggies endlessly).
6. Add them to foods you eat normally. Fresh or frozen green beans, broccoli, and carrots can be added easily to pasta dishes, disguised by the pasta sauce. Even if it's just a handful sprinkled here or there, it will make a difference.
7. Avoid the refined sugar. You'll be amazed at how much you'll savor fresh fruit the way you used to crave ice cream and candy.
The FDA recently changed their dietary guidelines slogan from "5-A-Day" to "More Matters." Even if you can't get five fruits and vegetables in every day, just do a little more than you have been. It will do your body and spirit a world of good. So next time you try to sneak something green into your child's mouth, stop and try to do the same thing for yourself!
Art Gib
Art Gib writes and contributes for many baby, child, family and parent online publications including HugaMonkey. Art is an avid baby sling supporter because of the positive impact it can have on families. For more information regarding baby slings, visit http://www.hugamonkey.com.
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