Creative Ways to Eat More Vegetables

(HealthCastle.com) We all know that vegetables are good for our health, but we don't always eat enough veggies each day. Here are some suggestions on how to boost your daily vegetable intake.

Creative Ways to Eat More Vegetables

1. Double the Veggies
   • Add shredded carrots or spinach to any tomato-based sauce or soup.
   • Prepare mashed potatoes with pureed cauliflower, broccoli, or turnips.
   • Try hearty salsa as a dip with celery, carrot, cucumber, or any raw veggies.
   • Use hollowed-out bell peppers, roasted squash, or large tomatoes as edible salad bowls.
   
   
2. Pair Meat with Veggies
   • Add diced onions, celery, and carrots to your meatloaf.
   • Prepare chicken nuggets in a batter that contains pureed sweet potatoes (bake the nuggets vs. frying).
   • Use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for your next turkey wrap.
   • Make a spread for chicken or turkey sandwiches by adding finely chopped red peppers or peas to low-fat mayonnaise.
   
   
3. Create Vegetable Versions of Your Favorite Meals
   Try making the following dishes with veggies:
   
   • Vegetable lasagna
   • Eggplant Parmesan instead of Chicken Parmesan
   • Veggie chili
   • Veggie burgers
   • Pizza topped with mushrooms, bell peppers, corn, broccoli
   • Spinach and cheese enchiladas instead of chicken or beef options
   • Portobello mushroom sandwich instead of a Philly cheese steak
   • Cabbage, scallion, and carrot dumplings
   
   
4. Use Vegetables in Dessert
   • 1 cup of shredded zucchini can be added to any cupcake recipe.
   • Add 1 cup of pureed broccoli to your favorite brownie recipe.