Nutrition Frenzy

Vegetables

Over the past six years, since my Kidney Transplant, I’ve learned to love all vegetables. It wasn’t always so, and my poor mom couldn’t ’sneak’ them into foods, for I would patiently and diligently pick them out.

Go ahead and give these a try for the picky veggie hater in your life.

Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 1: Add veggies you almost like to dishes you already love.
Layer zucchini slices, chopped spinach, or cooked carrots into lasagna.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 2: Try them in soup.
Embellish your favorite soups with added veggies.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 3: Slip them into salads.
Load your salads with all the veggies you enjoy (or at least tolerate).
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 4: Serve them raw.
Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren’t crazy about vegetables.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 5: Take raw vegetables skinny dipping.
There’s nothing like a little light ranch dressing or onion dip to make a platter of raw veggies disappear.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 6: Sneak them into spaghetti and pizza.
Most people like spaghetti and pizza, which makes them a good place to sneak in some vegetables.

Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 7: Drink your vegetables.
There are several good veggie juices on the market (V-8 or carrot juice), even veggie-fruit juice blends that taste great.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 8: Increase the fun factor.
Let’s face it: some vegetables are just more fun to eat than others. Corn on the cob (especially when grilled) continues to be fun into adulthood.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 9: Grill, baby, grill!
After you take your meat off the grill, why waste the hot coals? You’ll be amazed at how great grilled veggies taste.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 10: Know how to cook the stronger flavored veggies.
The strongest tasting (and smelling) vegetables are those in the cruciferous family, along with some greens, and raw eggplant.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 11: Try them where you least expect them.
You might be surprised at how well vegetables can complement the featured ingredients in many of your favorite foods.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 12: Be sensitive to textural turn-offs.
If your experience is mostly with canned or overcooked vegetables, give them a “fresh” start. You might be more willing to eat vegetables prepared in more texturally pleasing ways.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 13: Even fast-food vegetables count.
You can even get vegetables at your favorite fast-food chain — as long as you like salads, that is.
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 14: Don’t reward your kids (or yourself) for eating vegetables.
“Studies suggest that when we are rewarded for eating something, then the reward becomes the treat and we will not see the food itself as enjoyable,”
Eat More Vegetables Tip No. 15: It’s all about the cheese.
When all else fails, you can always sprinkle a little grated, reduced-fat cheese over the top.