Do you struggle to add vegetables and fruits to your diet? You’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to meet their daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
However, there are plenty of ways to make adding them easier – and more delicious! Here are smart tips for incorporating more vegetables and fruits into your diet.
1. See a Doctor
If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to eat vegetables and fruits, consult with your doctor. If you don’t have a GP yet, drop by an urgent care facility.
The doctor can prescribe medication or other treatments that make eating healthy produce easier. You can also ask your doctor for recommendations on how best to get more nutrients in your diet through supplements if you’re unable to do so through food.
They can also recommend fruits and veggies that are easier to eat. For instance, if you have a condition like dysphagia that makes it hard to swallow, they may recommend vegetables that are easy to chew like mashed bananas or berries.
2. Add Vegetables and Fruits to Your Favorite Dishes
Instead of thinking about what you need to give up, think about how you can add healthy ingredients to the meals that you already love.
For example, if you enjoy oatmeal for breakfast, try adding some blueberries or sliced banana on top. If spaghetti is one of your favorite dinners, consider adding some chopped tomatoes or spinach to the sauce. There are endless possibilities, so get creative and have fun with it!
3. Start Slow
The more fruits and veggies you add to your diet, the easier it will be. But if you’re just beginning, start slow so that it’s not overwhelming.
For example, try adding one new fruit or vegetable each week until you have a well-rounded variety in your diet. If you can do this for a few months, you’ll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
If you’re still struggling, consider consulting with a nutritionist or dietitian for more personalized advice. They can help create a meal plan that’s perfect for you and your dietary needs. With a little effort, adding vegetables and fruits to your diet can be easy and delicious.
4. Begin with Your Favorites
Start by adding vegetables and fruits that you already enjoy. This makes it more likely that you’ll stick with it, and you’re less likely to get bored with your diet.
If you love strawberries, add them to your breakfast cereal or have a smoothie for lunch. If broccoli is one of your favorite veggies, steam some up as a side dish.
And if you’re not sure what your favorites are, try new foods and see which ones taste best!
5. Pick Fresh Whole Foods
When you add vegetables and fruits to your diet, it’s essential that they be the freshest possible. If they’re not fresh or have gone bad before getting eaten, this can make for an unpleasant experience.
To ensure that you’re getting the freshest produce, shop at local farmers’ markets or grocery stores with a high turnover rate of produce. This will help guarantee that you’re getting the best-quality fruits and vegetables.
6. Plan Your Meals
One way to make sure you’re getting enough vegetables and fruits is by planning your meals. This will help ensure that you have the ingredients on hand, and it’ll be easier not to fall back on unhealthy foods.
If you’re not sure what recipes to try, there are plenty of websites, cookbooks, and even apps that can help. And if you’re not much of a cook, there are plenty of healthy pre-made meals available as well.
7. Join Meatless Mondays or Veganuary Challenge
It’s a great idea to make your diet plant-based for one day per week. It can help keep you from eating too much meat, and it forces you to try new recipes with vegetables and fruits as the main ingredient.
You may even discover that you prefer this way of eating over your regular diet! Another option is doing a vegan challenge for one month straight.
This is a great way to get started on a vegetarian or plant-based lifestyle change because it gives you time to learn about all the delicious recipes available without feeling overwhelmed by making such drastic changes at once.
8. Pick a Buddy
You’re more likely to stick with your goals if you have someone else who can help keep you accountable. Find a friend or family member who wants the same thing. Then encourage each other to eat more vegetables and fruits.
Join a support group online for additional accountability partners! There are many benefits from having people in your life who understand what it’s like trying to make changes in their diet and lifestyle.
In addition, having someone else around makes it easier not to give up when things get difficult or boring (because they’re there too)!
It’s no secret that adding vegetables and fruits to your diet can be tough. However, with these tips, you’ll be on the right track to eating healthier and feeling better about yourself in no time!