Check yourself again: Are you getting in your 3 cups of vegetables (minimum) each day!? Since last week how many days have you been able to successfully fit in your 3 cups of vegetables each day? If you haven’t tried it out yet… why not start today!?

Here are some additional ideas on how to increase your vegetable intake. These ideas can be added to the list from last week’s blog and placed in a location that you see weekly to encourage your daily intake of veggies!

 

Make a vegetable filled soup to enjoy during the colder months. Make your own soup with broth or purchase canned vegetable soups. Try filling the soup with tomatoes, carrots, celery, green beans, peas, yellow onion and other yummy vegetables!

When you eat a salad – add color! Try to get 3 to 4 colors in every salad you make.

                Red – bell peppers, tomatoes

                Orange – carrots, bell peppers

                Yellow – bell peppers, squash, onion

                Green – spinach, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, celery

                Purple – onion, cabbage, beets, eggplant

Stock up on your veggies during each grocery trip. Being prepared is part of being successful. Knowing you have enough veggies in stock for three cups a day will help to ensure you meet your daily recommendation. Stock up on fresh veggies, canned veggies, and the already mentioned frozen veggies. As a tip: also look for low sodium or no salt added labels.

When at a restaurant – ask for an extra vegetable as a side! Some locations have great steamed veggies that you can substitute the fried okra or french fries with. You may also be able to get a side salad for a low price with your entree. Never let eating out at a restaurant be your excuse – the veggies are there too!

We have all heard the phrase “Try new things”… that includes your vegetables! If you have a few favorite veggies that is great, but also be willing to try new vegetables out. During certain seasons, you can find local markets with fresh veggies and grocery stores that will feature unique vegetables on occasion.

 

Hopefully you will find these ideas to be helpful along your journey of eating more vegetables. If you have any questions on how I fit my 3 cups of vegetables in each day – just let me know!