by Tammy Lee White

Created on: October 13, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Are your staple foods meat and potatoes? Do you think salad is rabbit food? There is a wide selection of fruits and vegetables. Eat more than just apples and carrots. Buying a variety to keep at home can help to get you started. Most North Americans need to vastly increase their fruit and vegetable intake. 5-9 servings are recommended to keep your body healthy. For ways to start eating more fruits and vegetables see my list of ideas below.

1. Drinks- Try orange juice with breakfast or tomato juice with dinner. Mix fruit into milkshakes and daiquiris. Use lemon and lime slices to garnish your drinks. Make a punch mixing juice with your pop!

2. Frozen treats- Use orange juice to make your own popsicles. Try frozen fruit right out of the bag. Buy fruit flavors of frozen yogurt and ice cream. Fruit creamsicles also taste great!

3. Availability- Buy an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. Always stock a variety at home. The best way to ensure you will get all your servings is just having these foods in your fridge!

4. Convenience- Buy chopped and washed vegetables that are ready to eat. Prepare your own to store in the fridge. If you know washing lettuce will be deterrence buy a salad that's already made!

5. Sauces- Vegetables can be added to many sauces. You can puree them or leave them in chunks. Try spaghetti sauce, chili, or soup with vegetable broth. Your kids may not even notice!

6. Appearance- Vegetables are harder to eat than fruits. You may need to make them appealing. Try fancy shapes, dips or a cheese fondue. For a party deep-fry them in batter!

7. Motivation- There are many good reasons to eat fruits and vegetables. Combine your motivations. Eating the daily-recommended servings can keep your body healthy. Vegetables and fruit are cheap to buy and environmentally friendly. Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake can also help you lose weight!

8. Breads- Add fruits and vegetables to muffins and bread. Zucchini loaf actually tastes great. Try banana bread, blueberry muffins or carrot cake. There are many good options available!

9. Vegetable Toppings- Add vegetable toppings to pizza. Top your sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes. Add pickles and onions to your hamburger or hotdog. You can add them to almost anything!

10. Fruit toppings- Add chopped fruit to your yogurt or cereal. Put jam or bananas with peanut butter and toast. Fruit tastes great on top of ice cream. Add fruit toppings to waffles and pancakes!

Increasing your fruit intake shouldn't be hard. Fruit is a handy snack. Fresh fruit, applesauce and Fruit-to-Go are great snacks when you're in a hurry. It's easy to increase your vegetable intake by putting them into your sauces. Make them appealing and stock a variety at home. Get your servings by having a drink. Growing a vegetable garden in your own backyard can help to keep you motivated. Add fruits and vegetables to your breads and muffins. Increase your consumption today!

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