You may be thinking, “How do I get more fruits and vegetables into my daily diet plan?” The following 7 tips will make sure that you are eating plenty of healthy natural foods, and fewer processed food items.
1 – Start Juicing
The juicing revolution is in full effect around the world. Purchase an inexpensive juicing machine, and you quickly and easily turn several servings of fruits and vegetables into a delicious and healthy beverage.
2 – Add to Your Favorite Foods
Diced broccoli and onions can complement your favorite whole-grain pasta. Add fruits and vegetables to a couple of eggs and make a healthy omelet. Start incorporating vegetables and fruits into other foods that you already enjoy.
3 – Keep a Bowl of Fresh Fruit in Your Kitchen
It is easier to eat healthy when healthy food is readily available. A bowl of fresh fruit on your dining room table or kitchen counter is a good way to promote healthy eating.
4 – Drink 100% Fruit or Vegetable Juice
Make sure your juice is 100% natural. Steer clear of juices that say “contains vegetables” or “made with real fruit”. This could be a sign that only a portion of the juice is healthy. Limit yourself to 8 ounces per day to avoid adding too much natural sugar to your diet.
5 – Play the Replacement Game
As mentioned in Tip #3, you are going to eat what is available when you are hungry. Replace processed foods and unhealthy beverages with fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator and freezer.
6 – Prepare Bulk Lots
Why not cook and prepare a week’s worth of vegetables and fruits on the weekend? You can do this in just an hour or two, and package by serving size so you and your family can benefit from quick and healthy meals with little preparation and cleanup.
7 – Make Your Own Soups
Store-bought canned soup is usually ridiculously high in sodium. It can also contain other unhealthy ingredients. Make your own soup with your favorite vegetables in a crock pot, and freeze individual serving sizes.
4 Ways to Make Fruits and Veggies More Appealing
Some kids absolutely refuse to eat their vegetables. Even adults sometimes act childish when faced with eating less processed food and more healthy fruits and and veggies. Practice the following 4 tips and you will make the idea of eating fruits and vegetables much more appealing to yourself, and your family.
1 – Focus on the Health Benefits
Vegetables and fruits really can extend your life. They dramatically limit your exposure to doctors and hospitals, and make you feel and look great. Keep the incredible health benefits of smart eating in mind and you will find vegetables and fruits much more attractive.
2 – Dress Them Up
There are spiral cutters and other small kitchen appliances which can make your fruits and vegetables more visually appealing. You will also receive rave reviews for your creativity when you share these creations with your friends and family.
3 – Keep a Food and Health Journal
You are likely trying to eat smarter to enjoy better health. You might be eating more fruits and vegetables to lose weight and get in shape. Keep a food journal. As you begin to eat healthier food and less processed food, record important health numbers as well.
When you find yourself feeling and looking better, losing weight and feeling great as a result of your dietary changes, you will look forward to continuing your healthy eating habits.
4 – Experiment
There are literally hundreds of nutritious and yummy fruits and vegetables. You may find it much easier to boost the amounts of these wonderfully healthy foods you eat when you expose yourself to new types and varieties. Purchase a fruits and vegetables cookbook, and begin experimenting with foods and recipes that will broaden your horizons and possibly tantalize your taste buds.
6 Food Preparation Tips that’ll Help You Save Time & Eat More Fresh Food
It is possible to save time while eating more fresh food. Enjoying a healthy diet does not have to eat up big chunks of your time. The following 6 food preparation tips help you eat more fruits and vegetables and enjoy the health benefits those foods deliver, while saving you time in the process.
1 – Keep Frozen Vegetables on Hand
Bulk size and single serving portions of frozen vegetables are available in most supermarkets and grocery stores. This requires little preparation and cleanup, allowing you to eat healthy without a big time investment.
2 – Make a Plan
When you plan your meals a week at a time, you control just how much fruits and vegetables you eat. Set aside 1 day each week to write out a meal plan, and then use that as a basis for your shopping list.
3 – Purchase Several Single Serving Containers
Choose 4 ounce to 8-ounce resealable glass containers. Plastic can contain unhealthy BPA’s, and glass allows you to tell with a glance exactly what food is contained inside. Purchase as many single serving containers as you need to make the following tip possible.
4 – Cook Once, Eat All Week
This is virtually the same advice as Tip #6 from a previous section. You cook one time for the entire week. You then portion out serving sizes and store in your refrigerator and freezer for quick and easy access, with little cleanup.
5 – Buy in Bulk
When you buy vegetables and fruits in bulk you can save a lot of money. This also saves valuable time, as you spend less time shopping and running back and forth from your home to the grocery store.
6 – Get the Whole Family Involved
Two people can do most jobs in the kitchen faster than one. Get your whole family involved in your healthy eating plan. This provides an excellent family bonding opportunity, and saves your personal time by sharing your kitchen tasks.
