9 Tips to Eat More Veggies (Including Bacon)

If corn, peas, and green beans are your favorite vegetables, you're in trouble. Those are grains and legumes, not vegetables; and they are carbohydrate heavy. It's time to learn to love veggies. In our experience, most patients are not consuming nearly enough vegetables and fruits. While a vegetarian diet isn't necessary to be healthy, we should all try to increase our fruit and veggie intake. Here are 5 tips to pump up the produce in your meals:

1. Homemade smoothies - this is a great way to add more fresh fruits and veggies, especially for picky eaters. Use fresh or frozen produce with a spoonful of flaxseed oil or meal for good fats, protein (from a high quality powder, organic yogurt, or clean pasture-raised eggs), tasty spices if you like (cinnamon, vanilla, etc), and water or ice for the consistency you prefer. Smoothies are preferred over juices, because they maintain all the fiber and good nutrition. Vegetables that blend well include carrots, celery, beets, squash, and dark leafy greens.
2. Sneak them in - there are lots of foods you can hide fruits and vegetable in: casseroles, soups, meatloaf, meatballs, eggs, sauces...the options are endless and there are plenty of books and websites to help you.
3. Use tasty dips and dressings - enjoy your veggies more AND get more nutrition out of them by adding some healthy dip or dressing. An easy one is olive oil, vinegar, spices (garlic, herbs, seat salt).
4. Ready to go - as soon as you haul your fresh produce home, get cleaning and chopping. Having them ready to go in containers makes your week that much easier and make it more likely you'll eat them instead of a faster unhealthy alternative. If you need even more help, buy the produce already chopped and cleaned. It loses some nutrition, but it's a lot better than nothing.
5. Make veggies fries - slice some tubers or root vegetables into strips (sweet potatoes, rutabaga, beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips, etc.), coat with a healthy oil like coconut oil, sprinkle on a little sea salt and bake. Just make sure you pull them out before they turn to mush.
6. Stir fry night - stir fry is one of the simplest recipes you can make and tastes delicious. Start by cooking some good quality meat with a little coconut oil or butter, then add your favorite chopped veggies and sea salt or other good seasoning.
7. Eat veggies instead of pasta - cook sliced veggies with butter, garlic and sea salt. Then top with sauce and meat for a great meal.
8. Try kale chips - you'll find all kinds of recipes online for tasty kale chips. They make a great alternative to potato chips. Coat with a healthy oil, add seasoning, and bake.
9. Wrap it in pasture-raised bacon - problem solved.

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