5 Super Simple Ways to Eat More Veggies

The health benefits of eating more veggies are undeniable. They support our physical and digestive health, boost our mood, give us more energy, and lengthen our lifespan. But old habits die hard, and if you’re not accustomed to cooking with veggies it can be tough to figure out where to start. Here are five super simple strategies to incorporate more veggies into your everyday meals without breaking a sweat.

Go for the greens

Baby greens like kale, spinach, and arugula are a great way to add a nutritional boost to just about any dinner. They are pre-packaged and readily available at most grocery stores which makes them easy to have on hand and they require virtually no prep work. You can quickly grab a couple of handfuls, give them a quick rinse, and throw them into soups, pasta, wraps, or on top of a pizza (I like to just tear them up with my hands on their way in, for smaller pieces). Even if you’re just heating up some mac & cheese or Chef Boyardee, throw a couple of handfuls in. Remember that greens cook down significantly, so don’t be afraid to toss in a generous portion.

Get choppin’

Many of your veggies can be chopped and prepared as soon as you bring them home, for use later in the week. You’ll probably be more inclined to use them during the week if you don’t have to prep them after your busy day. Use up the more delicate veggies first and save hardier ones like cabbage or carrots for later in the week. If you’re pressed for time (or just hate chopping) pick up some pre-chopped veggies in your grocer’s produce section.

Ditch the drawer

Does this sound familiar? You do your grocery shopping with the best of intentions, filling your cart with lovely produce of all shapes, sizes, and colors. You’re feeling good about your choices. Fast forward two weeks and you’re throwing out rotten veggies from the bottom of the crisper draw.

When veggies are left in the plastic bags you bought them in and thrown in a drawer at the bottom of the fridge it’s easy to forget about them. If you don’t even remember that they are there, how are you going to think to add more of them to your meals? Instead, give them prime real estate in your fridge. Take them out of the bags and put them in clear containers at eye level. If you can’t miss them when you open the fridge, you’re more likely to reach for them when you’re cooking.

Don’t forget about your freezer

The freezer is another great place to stash some veggies for easy use. Most common veggies are now available pre-chopped and frozen, so stock up your freezer with the ones you and your family like. I always keep chopped onions, peppers, kale, and spinach in my freezer for those nights that I need an easy way to add more veggies to my dinner without any fuss. I also keep things like edamame and berries, to take a small amount out each week to store in the fridge for easy snacks.

Change your mind

Want to make your meals as nutrient-packed as possible? Set yourself up for success and keep yourself motivated by making healthy eating into a mental game. Make it a personal challenge to try to pack as much nutritional value in all of your meals as you can. It can turn what used to feel like a chore into a fun creative endeavor. Get the whole family involved by seeing who can come up with the most creative ways to work veggies into a meal while still getting everyone’s taste approval.

I hope this got your creative juices flowing about how you can start incorporating more veggies into your meals. Remember – it’s not about perfection, but progress. How do you make it easy to eat your veggies? Please share your tips in the comments section!