March is National Nutrition Month and maybe you’re trying every day to maximize your daily nutrition but sometimes there’s just so much information out there it’s easy to lose sight of the trees through the woods-or whatever that saying is.
You might be so focused on intermittent fasting and losing weight or avoiding certain foods that trigger GI or autoimmune symptoms that you lose sight of what you ARE actually eating. Been there!
So here’s to some very simple reminders on incorporating fruits and vegetables into more meals and snacks on a regular basis in order to make the most of every day!
Use fruit to sweeten, but don’t miss the chance to maximize your veggie intake! Baby spinach, lettuce, cucumber are all great fresh add-ins. And believe it or not, cauliflower, sweet potato, and zucchini all work well in a smoothie too (fresh or frozen!) to provide thickness and an extra punch of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to support healing and prevent inflammation.
Tip: Aim for 1 cup of leafy greens and/or ½ cup (in addition to ½-1 cup frozen fruit) of one other veggie. Adjust to taste.
Try to pick 5 different colored fruits and veggies each day for a variety of health benefits specific to each color-because nature is cool like that 😎
Whether it’s because they’re not your fave or maybe you have little people who haven’t embraced the love for veg, consider adding shredded or puréed veggies like butternut squash, carrots, sweet potato, or spinach to sauces, casseroles, pasta dishes, and soups. You get a great health benefit with very little change to flavor or texture.
Dip with veggies instead of chips- or for the picky ones offer a mix of crackers/chips and veggies. Kids (and adults) might surprise you that when offered a colorful mix, they might occasionally stray from chips to try out a colorful carrot or cucumber.
Pizza, tacos, baked potatoes, kabobs, and salads all look and taste better with some additional texture, color, and flavor from diced veggies.
Buy frozen veggies if you plan to cook them or add to a smoothie. Frozen fruit and veggies are just as nutritious (sometimes more so!) than fresh—and the chopping is done for you!
What tricks have you found to increase your veggie intake on a daily basis?
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Rhya Pachin is a licensed dietitian nutritionist who employs an "integrative" approach to support overall health rather than addressing just one symptom. As a certified LEAP therapist, she designs and supervises custom elimination diets. Her focus areas include gastrointestinal conditions like IBS and IBD, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto's, persistent weight issues, food sensitivities, and chronic inflammatory conditions in both adults and children.