5 Ways To Increase Your Vege Intake
Vegetables Are Carbs!
Hold on now Ketonians! That doesn't mean you have to live on meat and coconut oil from now on!
Vegetables are actually good for you. I know! Who would have thought!? They're full of vitamins and minerals that keep your body going! Amazing huh?!
Ok. Sarcasm over. Lets get serious.
I am always amazed at how many people don't like vegetables. Where I used to live in the UK, the only vegetables I saw were potatoes and peas (usually of the mushy variety found in chip shops).
When people are so used to eating the same things every day, a new flavour such as a different vegetable can be jarring for the senses.
So, with that in mind, I have collated a list of 5 ways that you can hide more veges into your diet without going into sensory overload.
1. Make Soup
I used to make chicken soup in the winter that was mainly, chicken, chicken stock, leeks and potatoes. That was it and it tasted fairly nice.
I recently came across a recipe in the clever guts diet book that had a tonne of veges in, without tasting like it did.
2. Make a list of the veges you like / you'd like to try.
Now hopefully that isn't restricted to peas or potatoes but whatever it is, ask yourself how often who eat them now.
Then choose a vegetable that you like, but haven't had for a while and figure out ways to incorporate it into your meal.
Sometimes it could be something simple like swapping potato chips for sweet potato chips.
3. Juicing
Juicing can make vegetables taste sweeter, while still giving you the vitamins. Try this "Bugs Bunny Juice" and see what I mean.
See how simple it is! The kids will love it too!
4. Vegetable Snacks
No I don't mean the fancy root vegetable crisps instead of potato chips.
Try these ideas for size when you're looking for a mid afternoon nibble.
Carrots, Celery and Cucumber sticks dipped in hummus
Ants on a log - aka Celery with peanut butter and raisins.
Eating the snacks with a little bit of protein will help to keep going for a bit longer than if you just had the vegetable by itself.
5. Zoodles!
When I first heard about spiralising vegetables instead of using pasta, I thought it was too much effort.
Then I found a spiraliser in the supermarket and turning zucchini into noodles couldn't get any easier!
I haven't tried turning squash into spaghetti but the zucchini is a cinch. All you do is push it in the gadget and twist. Next boil some water and place "zoodles" in the water for a few minutes. Drain and pour some cold water over them to prevent over cooking.
Or lightly fry in a little olive oil.
Et voila!
So there you go. Hopefully these little tips have given you a few ideas of your own.
The key is, if you haven't had vegetables in a while is to start slowly and just add a new item a week or even a month. Try it in different formats and once it's part of your diet, add something else.
I'd love to see what ways you can come up with. Please share with us on instagram @connect_hfw