by Thriving Mama

Created on: May 27, 2009

Even grown-ups get tired of their vegetables. Often it is not a matter of liking or not liking a particular vegetable, its a matter of being bored. Usually someone, often a doctor or nutritionist or spouse, has told us that we need to eat more vegetables. So we go on a binge and end up seeing salads in our nightmarish dreams at night. Here are three practical ideas of how to work vegetables into your diet in ways that will keep your menu interesting.

Cleaned & Ready

Often, fresh vegetables get omitted because they require a bit more attention to be added to a meal. Their nutritional value on our plate takes second seat to the time it takes to prepare them. Take the time when unpacking your produce from the market to clean it and prepare it for use. If your greens are cleaned and your peppers, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower and other vegetables are chopped and ready for use, salads can be prepared in a fraction of the time or a small amount can be steamed in the microwave to go alongside your lunch or dinner.

Hide & Seek Veggies

It is amazingly easy it can be to add colorful veggies to your meal and never even know they are there. Making spaghetti? Pour your favorite smooth sauce into a pot; add chopped carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini. Once the vegetables have cooked long enough to be soft, take a wand mixer and puree the sauce mixture. Voila! You have marinara sauce with a rainbow of vegetables hiding in it. The same can be done with soup bases and casserole sauces. Smoothies are another wonderful way to hide a vegetable serving. Spinach has a mild flavor that is easily hidden with fruit. The only tell-tale sign of it's occupancy in the smoothie is the dark green color.

Soups & Salads

Soups and salads can be created from 100% vegetables and spices. A small salad loaded with a combination of colorful veggies can easily account for two to three servings of vegetables. The same can be said for a bowl of hearty vegetable soup filled with fresh vegetables. As opening course to a meal these healthful veggies are a great way to pack in the veggies before you even get to the main course.

Main Meals

When you find that you've fallen off the veggie wagon and need a boost of vegetables into your diet, consider a main course like stir-fry filled with your seasonal favorites. Vegetable lasagna packed with shredded carrots, chopped broccoli, spinach leafs and a veggie packed marinara sauce could be just what the nutritionist ordered.

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