Those colorful fruits and vegetables provide us with so many vitamins, minerals and nutrients our body needs to maintain great health. Unfortunately, many of us do not consume nearly enough of them on a regular basis. In our modern fast paced and microwave world, we often eat on the run which means a lot of manufactured, man made foods that are often overloaded with calories but void of the nutrition that our bodies crave for maintaining good health and energy with a zest for life.
Top Tips To Green It Up!
1.) Try to include veggies with every meal if possible. Some of the best ones to mention are mushrooms, dark green leafy ones like spinach and kale, cruciferous veggies like broccoli, tomatoes and peppers. Vegetables unlike many fruits are not as heavy in the sugar department and are very low in calories, but pack a hell of a punch from a nutrition value.
2.) Drink those greens! If you must and you want to make it easier to consume (for some) go 40% fruits and 60% greens like some just mentioned. As for fruits, berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries are some of the best choices.
3.) Have a list when going grocery shopping. Research and have some ideas regarding meal plans and green smoothies and have a checklist of what to get and how much. In these summer months you can get fresh produce at great prices at local vegetable stands.
4.) Keep fruits and vegetables within reach and conveniently easy to grab at. Most people will keep packaged foods with little to no nutritional value within reach, let’s just swipe those things out for better options. If bad snacks are not an option anymore but these colorful foods are, then it will be easier for us to move in the right direction.
5.) Make it a wrap! You can create some very healthy, well balanced and healthy wraps that taste amazing if you put some thought into it. There are many low carb, low glycemic wraps such as Flat Out that can go nice with some lean cuts of meat alongside some salsa, dark greens, spices, peppers or whatever veggies you like.
The key to eating more vegetables is to make them the center of attention with each of your meals and base the rest of your foods around them. Fruits for most are easier to eat and consumed a bit more on a regular basis than veggies. Strive for a healthier YOU in the New Year around the corner!
Best in health,
Roger Bowman, CPT
Roger Bowman 