Help me eat more fruit and veggies!!

StrawberryAlarmClock

I have never eaten fruit or veggies. I think that all the soggy canned veggies from my childhood give me a psychological aversion to them. My throat literally closes up when I smell broccoli or see asparagus on my plate. I can't get it in my mouth if I try. Childish, I know, but I truly can't help it.

My only fruit/veggie intake is carrots, apples and V8 fusion. All of which have about as much sugar as fiber!!

Does anyone have any sneaky tricks to get fruit & veggies into my system for LO, bless his heart? Puh-lease!!!!

TIA

sixlette

try green smoothies...I have one every night since I can't really eat dinner.
1/2 cup water
1 cup frozen fruit
1-2 handfuls fresh green vegetables (I use spinach most of the time, you can't even taste it)
adding ginger is fun too.  Look up green smoothie recipes on google.  HTH!

MTClaire

I have been buying the Knorr Sides Plus.  It's pasta or rice in those little easy-to-make packages, but they have two full sides of veggies in it.  They're pretty good.  I usually get the pasta ones and top with a little parmesan cheese.  Another good thing to try is buy fresh spinach and put that on your sandwiches instead of regular lettuce (which doesn't have much nutritional value).  I also make fruit smoothies in the morning with nonfat yogurt, peanut butter, strawberries, bananas and OJ.  Target has all the frozen fruit already cut up in a little "smoothie section."  Good luck!

hulaqt

I make an incredible fruit salsa (eaten with cinnamon/sugar tortilla chips) ... I also have a can of v8 a day (the spicy stuff!)

nostangchick

Thank goodness I'm not the only picky eater on here!! I have very little advice since I have the same problem. I can eat broccoli if it is in with fettuchi alfreado (sp) that may be something to try if you like that kind of stuff..GL and I hope some people have some good suggestions for us

AnnaBanana0327

I'm like this too!  Except I loved broccoli pre-pregnancy and now it's a major aversion unless it is in like a cheesy casserole!  I drink V8 fusion to sneak in veggies too!

One thing I've liked is smoothies I make at home.  I do add sugar but I use frozen fruit, yogurt, and OJ too.  Plus, I'm getting to use my Jimmy Buffet marg machine!

CandT

smoothies, veggie juices, google some recipies to try. I find that mixing them together makes it easier for non veggie people. Also try casseroles that include meat and veggies and you won't notice they're there. Buy fresh not canned or frozen they taste much better (especially when they're not mixed with other ingrediants)

Cook one bunch of asparagus, cut up about 3/4 cup of strawberries. Mix tablespoon of honey and lemon juice, mix together and chill for a few hours.

AllieNC

I have a smoothie every morning. For two of us we use: plain fat free yogurt, 1-2 bananas, +/- a cup of frozen fruit (blueberries are my fav), and a little milk or OJ. I will have to throw a in a handful of spinach like PP said.

Ironicly, my other tip is to throw a handful of spinach in whatever you are cooking. It cooks down to practically nothing and hides well - particularly if you chop it up. Eventually I bet you would start to really like the taste of spinach and could add more and more. I also like to make stir-frys. With all of the garlic, ginger, soy, sesame, and chili flavors the vegetables are soooo much more delicious.

katesmom73

You should buy Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook in which she purees veggies and puts them in regular food.  I've used quite a few of the recipes and you can never taste the veggie.  My favorite is the mac and cheese.  Make yourself some fruit smoothies - they are my favorite!

katesmom73

hulaqt:

I make an incredible fruit salsa (eaten with cinnamon/sugar tortilla chips) ... I also have a can of v8 a day (the spicy stuff!)

I think I have that fruit salsa recipe too - it's sooo yummy!

EmmaRain

My husband used to be the same way. I cook a lot of vegetables in main dishes, and he eats almost anything now. For me, the trick is to make the vegetable a part of the main course rather than a separate side. This way, it takes the flavor of the main dish. Also, be careful not to overcook them. Soggy vegetables are just gross.

Here are some things with healthy veggies that he eats:

1. Grilled skewers or kabobs with chunks of chicken or steak, green peppers, and zucchini (cut the vegetables and marinate them in whatever you like before putting them on skewers, then once everything is done, remove the skewers and put the grilled meat and veggies over rice). We like this with sweet and salty hawaiian type marinades. You could even add pineapple to the skewers if you like.

2. Giada de Laurentis marinara sauce - You can find this recipe on the food network website. I leave out the celery and double the carrots. I put already peeled mini carrots and one onion in a food processor and chop them very finely, then add them to the tomatoes. This sauce has lots of nutrients and it tastes better than any canned sauce. Just pour it over whatever pasta or ravioli you like. You could even try it with spinach ravioli.

3. Homemade Fajitas - Get one pound flank steak or chicken breasts, 3 or 4 yellow squash, tortillas, lettuce/tomato, and McCormick Fajita seasoning (in a packet at the grocery store). Brown the meat, add the squash and seasoning, simmer until everything is tender. DH swore he hated squash but when it tastes like fajitas he loves it.

4. Chicken tortilla soup - This recipe on allrecipes.com has tomatoes, corn, and cilantro. Its really good. https://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-Tortilla-Soup/Detail.aspx. DH likes it served with lime tortilla chips and sour cream.

5. Salads - Dh is isn't a big salad fan, but he really likes one salad I make. It has fresh spinach, strawberries, walnuts, grilled chicken, turkey bacon, croutons, and balsamic vinaigrette. I use this recipe for the dressing and proportions, then add whatever we want to it. https://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Strawberry-Spinach-Salad-I/Detail.aspx

Hope this helps!

 

ChristinaD09

I love fruit but I'm very bad about veggies!  Luckily, I can eat fresh veggies like carrots, sugar snap peas, and broccoli with ranch veggie dip (I can really only eat the sugar snap peas completely plain).  So I use a 100 calorie ranch veggie dip with some fresh veggies for a snack in the afternoon. 

I've also convinced myself that grilled cheese and tomato soup counts. 

Mrs.Burke

I am the same way with this pregnancy and I use puree in almost everything I cook.  Both my husband and daughter have no idea it is in there.  There is a cookbook Deceptively Delicious and it is great!!  It gives you great ideas for normal day to day foods you actually want to eat like pancakes and chicken taquitos!!!

Good Luck!!