While eating vegetables may not be the most exciting thing about dinner for many of us, the benefits are vast. Cup upon cups of raw and cooked vegetables are packed with nutrients and can be so filling! And you may be surprised at the amount of vegetables recommended by the USDA. General recommendations for adults clock in around 2-4 cups of vegetables per day. Eating vegetables is often much easier said than done, but it’s worth it to make an effort!
Eating Vegetables Everyday
Regularly eating vegetables can be simple once you’re comfortable with a few recipes! Vegetable recipes can be raw or cooked and full of flavor and whatever other ingredients you’d like. Cheese, starch like pasta or potatoes, and protein like cooked chicken or steak are a great accompaniment to vegetables. When you aim for eating vegetables rather than processed foods or foods low in nutrients, it’s easy to get your day’s worth of vegetables. That’s because you can eat a lot more without getting too full. Fill up your plate with produce, then work in grains and protein to balance your food groups. For more information on the health benefits of grains and how to include them in your diet, check out our blog post all about it.
In general, there are a few ways to continue eating vegetables throughout the day. Other than incorporating large amounts of produce into each meal, you can eat more vegetables with simple snacks throughout the day. One way to eat more vegetables throughout the day is to sneak some greens in everywhere you can.
Sneaking in Greens
Smoothies are an easy go-to when sneaking in greens. Just be sure to watch the amount of sugar you end up adding to the concoction! Some pre-made smoothies and juices like orange juice include several grams of added sugar. Aim for smoothies made with frozen fruit, greens, and a little bit of liquid like Vita Coco Coconut Water or Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk. You can sneak in several kinds of greens here, from spinach, to kale, to collard greens, and more.
These dark, leafy greens are known for being packed with nutrients. Think spinach, kale, chard, collard greens, spring mix, microgreens, beet greens, and watercress. Some of these dark leafy greens and more are fresh and available in Tacoma Boys’ produce section. The fibrous vegetables are often very low in calories while being high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins like vitamin A, B, C, and K. Those who don’t enjoy the taste can easily incorporate greens into a smoothie with little to no perceivable taste. If you’re not sure how to get started, check out this guide on how to make smoothies with greens.
Salads don’t have to be boring! Sneaking in greens through salads is easy. But many people avoid salads. The dish gets a bad rep for being bland, not very filling, and lacking texture. Every salad should be loaded with more than just greens and vegetables. Think nuts, seeds, dried or fresh fruit, cheese, beans, meat, and more. Plus, Tacoma Boys’ vast selection of specialty salad dressings make it easy to add extra flavor to any salad.
Recipes With Vegetables
Recipes with vegetables don’t have to be complicated. Recall the vegetable-heavy dishes you’ve encountered and make your favorite at home. For example, do you ever enjoy cut raw veggies with dip served for snacking at a dinner party or get-together? Whip up the quick and healthy snack at home with whatever veggies you have on hand: Think carrots, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and even pickles and olives for an extra briney, salty crunch! These vegetables are inexpensive and easy to prepare ahead of time.
- Serve your family’s favorite dip, like Paradigm Ranch Dressing or Litehouse Chunky Blue Cheese alongside the raw vegetables. Or, try something that may be different to you, like Stonemill Kitchens Artichoke Jalapeno & Parmesan Premium Dip or Kite Hill Tzatziki Almond Milk Yogurt Dip.
- You can also make recipes with vegetables with simple methods like roasting vegetables: Roast a large amount of whatever vegetables you have on hand. Add potatoes, or grains like rice or quinoa, plus beans or meat for protein. Season them with your favorite spice mix, like Johnny’s Garlic Parmesan Seasoning. Or, finish them off with condiments like Tacoma Boys Pepper Patch Salsa or Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic Aioli. Now you have a full meal!
- Large amounts of vegetables can easily be added to soup. And soup season is coming up: The warm, hearty dish is so versatile, making it family-friendly. That’s what we love about it! Make a soup with whatever veggies, beans, and seasonings you have on hand. Check out our soup guide for some tips and tricks. Or, grab some packaged vegetable-loaded soup to have on hand, like Amy’s Organic Chunky Vegetable Soup or Rill Foods Barley and Vegetable Soup.
Staying Healthy With Vegetables From Tacoma Boys
Swing by Tacoma Boys for all the fresh vegetables and produce you need throughout the year. You can find seasonal and other produce to incorporate into your meals and keep your family eating healthy. To stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!
