Taste the rainbow...no, not Skittles!

Mixing more vegetables into foods you already love can make meals more interesting and provide excellent health benefits!  Vegetables are full of heart-healthy fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. Eating vegetables can increase heart health, decrease blood pressure and regulate blood pressure.

• Add veggies to your favorite recipes! Try tomatoes, onions, spinach, and/or mushrooms in your omelets.  Add roasted broccoli or bell peppers to your pizzas. If you are feeling especially motivated, try cauliflower pizza crust! Add sautéed zucchini & yellow squash to noodles or use them as your base.
• Snack on vegetables throughout the day. Try eating cherry tomatoes, radishes, celery and carrots with hummus, light dressing or a bit of salt-free seasoning.  The high-water content of raw veggies will satisfy and hydrate you. Buying prepared veggies or taking some time to prep them at the start of the week will make a huge difference when you are hungry and looking for a fast snack.
• Try making vegetables into a spread. Experiment with roasting red bell peppers and pureeing them with garlic and a little olive oil. Try using it as a spread on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise or dressing or as a dip for celery or carrot sticks!
• Put them in sweets! Yes, you read that correctly! Add vegetables to your favorite smoothie recipe. Spinach is a nice vegetable to start with because it is easy to blend and light in taste. You can also add zucchini to brownie recipes…check it out! 

However you can add veggies to your day, do it! They are usually light in calories and loaded with health benefits. Experiment and share with us how you work veggies into your daily intake!