Fruits and Veggies

s_katoth1 · August 2012

Does anyone have any suggestions on sneaky ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet? I'm not really big into eating fruits and vegetables, but for baby's sake I need to.

kleenturner · August 2012

I know there are a bunch of cookbooks out there currently that have recipes for sneaking fruits and veggies into foods so you/your kids can't tell. Here is a link to some ideas from the food network too https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes-and-cooking/tips-for-kid-friendly-vegetable-dishes/index.html

rjblack424 · August 2012

I like to puree things and mix it into my kiddos food, they have no idea.

Cauliflower - puree into mashed potatoes, mac n chs, things like that. Its easy to puree veggies and mix them into a sauce of some sort, you won't even notice. Now fruit, i'm not sure, maybe mix into yogurt? Or icecream? haha

kelsea1031 · August 2012

Smoothies with fresh fruit are a great way to get some fruit in.

rbaker21 · August 2012

I make a smoothie. A handful of spinach, some carrots, half an avacado, blueberries, and strawberries. All in a blender with ice and water. All your nutrients through a straw. This is the best way for me to get my fruits and veggies in. You can sweeten with honey if you like.

gnomely · August 2012

When I need a boost in veggies, I make this smoothie:

1 banana

1/4 c. frozen berries

1-2 handfuls baby spinach

1 c. milk of choice (I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk)

Blend! Also, using a frozen banana makes it creamier. And I promise, you can't taste the spinach

synchrosally · August 2012

kelsea1031:
Smoothies with fresh fruit are a great way to get some fruit in.

This. I've been making DS (and myself) greek yogurt smoothies with a handful of baby spinach and frozen fruit. You don't taste the spinach and the greek yogurt adds lots of protein.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · August 2012

I love adding veggies to my eggs in the morning and also will do chopped veggies [like shredded zucchini or stir fry veggie mix] into turkey burgers or meatloaf.

gnomely · August 2012

I also add veggies to any pasta sauce I'm making. Zucchini, yellow squash, garlic, onions, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, celery...Depending on the type of dish, I'll put one or two more than the recipe calls for.

Fajita meat with tons of grilled or browned peppers and onions are also a good option. Add in pico de gallo and gauc, and that's a powerhouse meal! You could swap the tortillas for salad, even better.

MamaWomat · August 2012

I think the best strategy is to try cooking them in new/different ways. I bet you really do like fruits and veggies, but just not the ones or the way you're used to them being cooked. Ex. I thought I hated brussel sprouts till I learned that steaming them without the lid reduces bitterness (and serving with brown sugar and butter is delicious). And I was pretty lukewarm on boiled beets, but roasted...they're delicious! This doesn't have to mean following complicated recipes, just if you usually steam it, blanch it or roast it, or vice versa. Joy of Cooking has basic directions for almost anything.

Also, while I know they're not the healthiest way to eat veggies, don't underestimate the power of condiments. My in-laws introduced me to the joys of steamed broccoli liberally topped with mayonnaise. (trust me - I thought this sounded disgusting, but it is fantastic...and a great way to make an entire plate of broccoli into comfort food).

One last idea...I know it's expensive and that sucks, but if you can, try to buy at least some produce local/fresh. I moved to Texas three years ago and I swear I hadn't had a peach that tasted like a peach (instead of mushy cardboard) till I started getting csa delivery a few months ago - the first time I bit into a peach from our box was a revelation!

gnomely · August 2012

MamaWomat:
Also, while I know they're not the healthiest way to eat veggies, don't underestimate the power of condiments. My in-laws introduced me to the joys of steamed broccoli liberally topped with mayonnaise. (trust me - I thought this sounded disgusting, but it is fantastic...and a great way to make an entire plate of broccoli into comfort food).

Actually, eating vegetables with fats is the healthiest way to eat them! Most veggies need fat for your body to absorb their nutrients properly. Here's an older NPR article about it (from 2009): link.

keado · August 2012

Chopped veggies with guacamole? Dips?

Can you make yourself eat one veggie before you eat dinner? Or a salad a day . . . sometimes it helps me to meet a quota

kristinrvb21 · August 2012

I put a few leaves of spinach in my smoothies in the morning. You cannot even tell

smcjmk09 · August 2012

I love everyone's suggestions. I also love to make healthy muffins using oat or wheat bran, subbing half the oils for applesauce, etc... and there are lots of great recipes for fruit ones. You can do blueberry, carrot, zucchini, apple, etc..

And my husband would never eat broccoli till I started sprinkling it with Parmesan cheese before serving yum!

mummalove · August 2012

I agree. Everyone's posts are great!

I would also chop up fruit and veggies into tiny pieces and just add them to your regular meals.

tiny apple bits in your oatmeal, tiny banana in your cereal

tiny pieces of spinach in broccoli in your pasta, on your pizza

tiny carrots and eat them with a big scoop of mashed potatoes.

Once you start getting used to these tiny pieces you might start to like the fruit/veggies!

Casie13 · August 2012

I saw this header and was like - oh wow! Someone else is craving fruits and veggies?!? lol That's pretty much all I want anymore...I have been eating a lot of carrots dipped in ranch, tomatoes cut up and salted, apples and salads.

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