7 tips to help increase your daily veggie intake

The benefits we get from eating more vegetables is huge, making it a no-brainer to eat more! They are full of cancer-fighting compounds and antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory fighters, low in calories, full of good fiber, and so much more.

Despite all the reasons we should eat more veggies there are many reasons why people don’t and it can be hard to make a change. Veggies take time to prep… if you don’t plan ahead this can be an obstacle. They are perishable and can spoil before you consume them. Budget constraints and taste preferences can also be a deterrent to getting your daily recommended veggies. I have a few ideas to help!

7 tips to help increase your daily veggie intake:

Smoothies are a great way to squeeze in more veggies. A breakfast smoothie that includes some spinach or kale is a great way to start your day! Veggie serving #1 down and the day has just begun. Try my Beet Smoothie or my Protein Smoothie That is OH SO Delicious AND good for YOU!
Spend a little time Sunday night prepping your veggies for the week… Wash, cut, and store your veggies so they are available and ready! Make a few containers with celery, carrots & snap peas for your mid morning snack! Serving #2 down and it’s not even noon yet. You're on a roll!
Mason jar salads are easy to prepare and even better they are ready to grab and go! Make a few days worth in advance. Veggie serving #3 for lunch is done!
Veggie Ice Cubes! Ever notice your veggies are starting to wilt and you know that you won’t be able to get through them all before they go bad? Try making veggie ice cubes. Throw your veggies into a blender with a little water, pour into ice cube trays, freeze, and store in zip lock bags. The next time you're making soup or a smoothie toss in a few veggie cubes. It’s a great way to reduce food waste and increase your nutrition. Veggie cubes are great for a quick healthy dinner. You can throw a few spinach cubes into any dish and you just got your 4th serving of veggies for the day! Try throwing in a few cubes into your jar of Italian red sauce.
Step outside the box and try a different cooking method. You may not like steamed broccoli or cauliflower, but try it sautéed– You just might change your mind about this amazing powerhouse vegetable. I used to roast my brussel sprouts in the oven and liked them ok but after learning how to sauté them my opinion changed 100%. With the Internet we have access to so many amazing recipes. Stepping outside of the box and trying new flavors and techniques can be pretty eye opening!
Stock up on frozen veggies. Frozen veggies are awesome! You can add them to soups and smoothies in a matter of seconds. They are already chopped and ready to go! Typically frozen veggies are less than $3 per bag and removes the concern about letting them spoil. Often frozen veggies are packed with more nutrition than fresh. Unlike fresh produce, frozen veggies are usually picked and flash-frozen at their peak ripeness. They do not have to endure the miles across the country while ripening in a box.
Add some veggies to your favorite entree. Pick a veggie or two and add it to your favorite meat dish. You increase your fiber & nutrition, your entree will last longer, is less expensive, and just might taste better.