10 Ways to Get More Fruits and Vegetables

Here are some tips for you to get more fruits and vegetables in your diet.

1. Variety:

   There are lots of fruits and vegetables to choose from. Try berries, half a grapefruit, or dried apricots for desserts or snacks. I prefer to eat the berries. When making stew, soup, or salad, add kidney beans or black-eyed peas.

2. Appeal To Your Senses:

   Most people prefer to eat crunchy foods over mushy ones. Try raw fruits or vegetables or lightly steamed vegetables. I've been told that helps retain the nutrients that it may lose during cooking.

3. Convenience:

   Buy fruits and vegetables the pre-cut and packaged for quick eating. You can buy a bag of salad and baby carrots and have a salad in seconds.

4. Use Dips or Dressings on the Side:

   Use dips or dressing for fruits and vegetables. Try low-fat yogurt as a dip for fruits like melons. Try low-fat salad dressing with raw broccoli, red and green peppers, or cauliflower.

5. Add Vegetables to Favorite Foods:

   Shred carrots into meatloaf or casseroles. Add chopped vegetables to your pasta sauce or lasagna.

6. Keep Fruits and Vegetables Around and In Sight

   If you keep fruits and vegetables in sight, you tend to eat them more. Keep fruit in a bowl on the table. Keep carrots and celery sticks in a clear container in the refrigerator.

7. Use Your Blender:

   Make smoothies with fruits and low-fat milk.

8. Use Fruits and Vegetables as Ingredients:

   When baking cakes, try applesauce. This is a fat-free substitute for some of the oil in baking cakes. Use pureed, cooked vegetables to thicken soups and stews.

9. Think Salad:

   Eat a chef's salad for lunch. Eat a fruit salad for dessert. You can also eat mixed greens with your dinner.

10. Snack on Fruits and Vegetables:

    For a snack, try carrots or an apple. For a sweet snack, eat a banana.