Cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, spinach, peas, peppers and sprouts – the list of healthy vegetables available is endless, but how many are you putting on your plate every day? Making vegetables a part of your daily diet can help ensure you take in essential nutrients such as potassium, fibre, vitamin A and C, and folic acid, to name a few. What’s more, eating vegetables regularly can also help to maintain your blood pressure and lower your risk of contracting chronic diseases. So if your diet could benefit from bulking up on veg, try these handy tips to healthier eating.
1 Swap noodles for zoodles
No, really. Make zucchini or carrot noodles and swap them for your regular pasta. If you don’t have the time to make your own, you can also find them on the shelves at selected stores.
2 Fill up on salads
Salads don’t have to be boring – not if you add extras like sugar snap peas, carrots, beetroot, sprouts and more. Top off with some tuna, sliced beef or chicken and enjoy!
3 Go half and half
There’s nothing wrong with mashed potato, but adding in some butternut, sweet potato or pumpkin can give you extra flavour and nutrients, too.
4 Chop, chop, chop
Finely diced vegetables can give your dishes more volume while giving you more vitamins at the same time. Add more veg to your soups, dice up carrots, celery and onions for pasta sauces, chop up peppers and mushrooms for chilli con carne, and round out your chicken casserole with small florets of cauliflower and broccoli.
5 Don’t forget breakfast
Believe it or not, breakfast is a great way to start off your veg servings for the day. Think slices of fresh avo, roasted cherry tomatoes, sautéed spinach with a sprinkle of feta and glossy black mushrooms with a dusting of lime zest. Bon appétit!
Chewing is in again! Here’s why we’re begging you to please, please stop juicing your vegetables.
