The mature adult in you knows it’s best to eat a variety of vegetables to maintain your youthful glow and kid-like energy. But, let’s get real. Sometimes the thought of a plain old carrot stick or a plate of broccoli makes you want to, well… WAAH, you just don’t wanna! Those are the times when you shouldn’t think twice about indulging the baby inside of you. Be your own doting parent and sneak some vegetables onto your plate by hiding them in something delicious.
6 Ways to Eat Your Veggies That Won’t Make You Cry Like a Baby
1) Berry Smoothies mask spinach and kale well.
Put a cup of frozen strawberries, ½ cup frozen blueberries, 1 banana, plain yogurt and a 1/3 cup spinach in the blender. Add your favorite sweetener to taste. Your taste buds won’t notice the spinach, but your body will.
2) Mashed Potatoes make a good mask.
Steam some cauliflower or turnips and mix them into your next batch of mashed potatoes. (Pureed broccoli tastes pretty good in ‘taters too.)
3) Lasagna is a good vehicle for veggies.
Chop them small and mix in with either the cheese or the sauce. Spinach and Swiss chard are well disguised in cheese. Mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots can hide in the sauce. Here’s a recipe for Fresh Vegetable Lasagna with Spinach and Zucchini that packs a punch of nutrition and flavor.
4) Spiralize and give veggie noodles a go.
You’ll be surprised by the pleasing texture and taste of slightly salted spiralized raw zucchini noodles paired with your favorite (veggie infused) pasta sauce. Lots of other vegetables make good “noodles” too.
5) Make vegetable-based baked goods.
There are recipes out there for your favorite indulgences that include veggies like sweet potato muffins, zucchini bread, carrot cake, pumpkin pancakes, avocado chocolate cake, thunder cake (chocolate cake made with tomatoes), etc. If you have a sweet tooth, check out these recipes.
6) Get creative with comfort foods.
Updating a favorite food from your childhood to meet adult nutritional needs is a very grown-up thing to do that can help your body and mind find a happy place! Say “yes” to Mac and Cheese with PEAS (or broccoli). Add tomato slices or sautéed veggies like mushrooms, zucchini or onion to grilled cheese. Try a peanut butter & pickle sandwich instead of PB&J.
