Eating vegetables is one of the simplest choices you can make to improve the way you feel and your overall health!  Vegetables provide a source of numerous nutrients and dietary fiber.  The dietary fiber found in vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower the risk of heart disease.

This is not new news!  We all know this and most of us have heard this from the time we were young.  The problem is that most of us still do not eat our veggies.  We need to change that!

I aim to eat at least three “fist fulls” of veggies per day.  Using your fist is a good guide because generally our fists correlate to our body size.  (Kids have small fists…adult have bigger fists.)  I also try to make sure half of my plate is covered with vegetables.   Your plate should be colorful!  If you don’t see green, red, orange or other parts of the rainbow then something is missing.  Before you sit down to eat, look at your plate, if the food on your plate seems dull ask yourself what you can do to add a little color.

Here are a few tips on increasing your vegetable intake:

• Eat one large salad EVERY day!
• Swap out crackers, popcorn, pretzels, chips…for fresh cut up veggies.  If you can’t stomach this idea add some hummus or dip to start out with.  Keep cut up veggies on hand to help make it easier!
• Make a big batch of roasted or grilled vegetables to keep in your fridge for the week. Supplement your meals with this healthy side.  *In an upcoming post I will add my recipe for delicious grilled veggies.
• Consider adding vegetables to your breakfast.  I find that eating eggs for breakfast is the easiest way to incorporate veggies.  I add spinach and peppers to scrambled eggs or sauteed veggies to a fried egg.  (More ideas and recipes on this to come.)

This may sound difficult but it really comes down to training yourself to change your habits.  If you struggle that is ok.  Do your best…there is always tomorrow!