7 Ways to Sneak More Veggies Into Your Diet

Growing up in my household, there was no such thing as being a picky eater. You ate what was served on your plate, no questions asked. Needless to say, I became the easiest going kid when it came to eating my vegetables. My mom would even turn eating veggies into a little game that only me and her could understand. It was everything. As I’ve gotten older, my love of veggies with my meals has only grown. Personally, I can’t get enough of broccoli. Or spinach. Or brussel sprouts. Pretty much any plant that typically makes many people scrunch up their faces. Plus, they are so healthy and filling without adding all those extra calories to my food intake for the day. What more could you want? 

But I totally get why they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Let’s be honest, veggies are boring and some are definitely an acquired taste. But with a little creativity and these seven tricks, you’ll discover how good produce can taste and be well on your way to living your best veggie-filled life.

You can ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I’m the pasta queen. Any type of pasta, give it to me and I’ll devour it. But as I started focusing more on my health goals, I realized I couldn’t consume the same carbs I did as a teenager without repercussions. So if you’re like me and want to cut your carb intake down, substitute pasta with long strips of squash, sweet potatoes, zucchini or carrots. They are super simple to prepare (I like to add a little garlic to my veggie noodles to take the taste up a notch) and won’t give you that dreaded bloating feeling. Trust me, you’ll be twirling those veggies around your fork with each bite. Need more inspiration? I especially love the pictured Tomato Garlic Salmon with Zucchini Noodles recipe from Andrea of Beautiful Eats and Things. So yummy!

I’m not much of a breakfast person. I usually stick to oatmeal and fruit because it’s simple and I can eat it on the go. But if you’re into something a little heavier in the morning, try making an omelette and adding different vegetables each time to see which ones you like the most. Or if pancakes are more your speed, mix some chopped veggies into your pancake batter for a vitamin-packed meal.

After I workout, I make sure to blend up a post-workout smoothie with fruit and protein. But I also love adding in a few greens that won’t change the flavor of the drink too much. Spinach and kale are my two go-tos. Other than giving your drink that weird greenish tint that may take you back a bit, you’ll still get the same great taste and one daily serving of a super veggies with very little effort!

Another great way to trick yourself into eating the recommended serving of veggies each day is to grate things up such as carrots, squash, and cucumber into hamburger patties, meatballs, or meatloaf. This is ideal for picky eaters who don’t like the texture of a vegetable but want to reap all its nutritional benefits.

Butter and salt aren’t the only ways to flavor leafy green veggies. Make your steamed vegetables more flavorful by topping them off with olive oil, chopped or toasted nuts, or fresh, minced herbs. I also love incorporating turkey bacon into a few dishes such as asparagus and blue collards. The greens soak in the flavor without adding loads of extra calories. Win, win.

I’ve found that dedicating an entire day to eating more vegetables is an easy fix to those weeks when I’m not feeling them as much I as normally am. Meatless Mondays has become a popular campaign that helps everyone focus more on on their health by jump starting their week with the appropriate fuel. If you don’t eat veggies any other time during the week, you know you can load up on Monday without the added stress or guilt.

Vegetable-rich stews and soups are a tasty way to eat a variety of vegetables. You can just dig in and enjoy the bevy of flavors and not think about your possible disdain for each individual ingredient. With the summer coming up, I love to try cold soups like gazpacho or fruit and veggie soups made with an equal mix of berries and greens. I recently fell in love with this Spiced Broccoli, Chickpea and Squash Stew recipe. Doesn’t it look absolutely mouthwatering?