"You need to eat more vegetables."
It's advice we've all heard a thousand times. We know vegetables are good for us, but in real life, adding them to every meal can be a challenge. Maybe you have no time to prepare them, or maybe you just genuinely don't like the taste.
Whether you're too busy or you just aren't a fan, let's look at some simple solutions that will help you add more veggies to your day without it feeling like a chore.
If You Have No Time
The biggest hurdles to eating more vegetables are often "I'm too busy" and "I'm too tired." After a long day, the last thing you want to do is wash, chop, and prep a new batch of vegetables. Just thinking about it is exhausting.
Here are some easy shortcuts:
Weekend Meal Prep: Spend just 30 minutes on the weekend washing and chopping your favorite vegetables. Store them in containers. When it's time to cook, you can just grab and go. This saves a massive amount of time during the week.
Use "Pre-Cut" Helpers: There is no shame in saving time. Buying pre-cut or pre-washed vegetables from the supermarket (like bagged salads or chopped stir-fry mixes) can eliminate most of the work.
Add Veggies to Simple Meals: This is the easiest win. Add tomato slices and spinach to your morning sandwich. Ask for a side salad with your lunch. Toss some frozen broccoli or carrots into your instant noodles or pasta while they cook.
If You Don't Like the Taste
For those who just aren't "vegetable people," the key is to start slow, retrain your palate, and find cooking methods that make them taste great.
"Hide" Them in Your Favorites: Finely chop vegetables and mix them into dishes you already love. Try dicing mushrooms or cauliflower into your omelet, or adding finely minced carrots and celery to pasta sauce, chili, or soups.
Change Your Cooking Method: The same vegetable can have a completely different taste and texture based on how you cook it. Try roasting or grilling your vegetables (like broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini). The high heat caramelizes them and brings out their natural sweetness, making them much easier to eat.
Start with Mild Flavors: If you dislike bitter or strong-tasting greens, start with vegetables that have a mild, clean taste. Cucumber, lettuce, bell peppers, and carrots are great starting points. Once you're used to those, you can gradually try others.
Adding more vegetables doesn't have to be difficult. The key is to find the method that "clicks" with your lifestyle.
Try picking just one technique from this article to focus on this week. Maybe you'll try "hiding" veggies in your omelet, or you'll prep one container of cut carrots.
When you do, don't forget to log that meal in Wello. You'll immediately see how much more colorful and healthy your plate looks. Plus, all that extra fiber helps you feel full longer, making it much easier to manage your carb and fat "Servings" in your next meal.