Introducing More Veggies Into Your Diet
Eating more veggies can feel like a chore, especially if you’re not a fan of greens. But with a few fun and creative ideas, you can sneak more veggies into your diet without it feeling like a punishment. Not only do greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli provide a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals, but eating a rainbow of veggies—think red peppers, orange carrots, and purple aubergines—offers a wide range of nutrients and antioxidants that boost overall health. Whether you’re blending, baking, or simmering, there’s always a way to add a little extra veg to your meals. Here’s how you can do it!
Smoothies
Honestly, why wouldn’t you make your own smoothies when they can combine vitamins, minerals, ad flavours? Smoothies are an easy and delicious way to pack more veggies into your day. While fruit often takes centre stage in smoothies, adding a handful of spinach, kale, or even avocado can boost the nutrient content without altering the taste too much.
You can also throw in carrots or courgette for a mild, sweet flavour. Pairing these with fruits like bananas, berries, or mango will help mask the veggie taste and give you a vibrant, refreshing drink.
Soups
Nothing says comfort food like a homemade soup or a veggie stew. There’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup to get you through chilly days. Soups are perfect for packing in loads of veggies, whether they’re blended smooth or left chunky.
In winter, there are plenty of fun ways to use popular (and less popular vegetables and roots) in yummy soups. Winter soup recipes are brimming with hearty vegetables and bold flavours, making it easy to hit your five-a-day without even trying. Plus, soups are ideal for batch cooking, so you can fill your freezer with healthy, veggie-packed goodness.
Baking Veggies into your Sweets
Yes, you’re read it right. If you’ve never tried baking with veggies, you’re missing out. Vegetables like courgette and beetroot are perfect for adding moisture and natural sweetness to cakes and bakes. Courgette cake might sound a bit out there, but it adds a lovely, tender texture, while beetroot can make chocolate cakes extra rich and fudgy. You can also experiment with adding carrots to muffins or sweet potatoes to brownies. The best part? You get to enjoy a sweet treat while sneaking in some extra veg.
Veggies as Seasoning
Sometimes, veggies can shine not as the main event but as a flavourful addition to your dishes. Homemade sauces and seasonings are a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. You can whip up homemade ketchup using ripe tomatoes, onions, and peppers or blend up a fresh tomato salsa with herbs and a squeeze of lime. Veggie-based sauces not only taste great but also add a dose of nutrients to whatever you’re cooking.
Making Veggies a Regular Part of Your Diet Adding more vegetables to your meals doesn’t have to be difficult or boring. By blending them into smoothies, simmering them in soups, baking them into sweet treats, or turning them into sauces, you can make veggies a regular, enjoyable part of your diet. So why not get creative in the kitchen and see just how delicious veggies can be?