Got Veggies on your Plate Foodies?

With the New Year upon us, many promise themselves to eat healthier. At times, breaking old habits and making new ones can be difficult. A week or even a month in we may find ourselves back to the same old habits, eating unhealthy. Don't make the same mistake. Make this year the year to eat healthier. To help you eat healthier FoodieGems is sharing 7 ways to include more veggies in your diet.

Choose Your Vegetable First. Often times it's easier to choose the protein and build a meal around the protein. However, by doing this we often eat the protein and forget about the veggies. So choose your veggies first and build your meal around the vegetable. Remember, the protein portion should only be one third of your meal.

Variety. Don't stick to the same old vegetables you always cook with. It can get old always eating mashed potatoes and green beans. So change it up, not only the variety of vegetables, but also the way the veggies are  prepared.

Try New Vegetables. Have you ever heard the phrase "You won't know if you like it until you try it?" More in likely you have and quite possibly it's something you often say to your kids, but do you say it to yourself? If not, than do it and don't be afraid to try new things especially vegetables. Remember, our taste buds can change. So what we didn't enjoy years ago, we may enjoy now. Try something new.

Enjoy A Soup. Vegetables can add more flavor and nutrition to your soup. This goes for not only home made soups which already call for a good amount of veggies, but you can always add more veggies to your canned soup. Soups are great way to enjoy all your vegetables at once. 

Salad. I know exactly what you are thinking. You get tired of eating just lettuce right? I do to. So make sure you make a salad more than just lettuce. Throw in some of your favorite veggies. Make your salad as colorful as possible. Not only is this appealing to the eyes, but it's good for you too.

Put Veggies In Your Favorite Dish. Do you love macaroni and cheese? Just because you decided to eat healthier this year doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite meals. Throw some veggies into your favorite dish.  Add some broccoli into your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe, or throw some of your favorite veggies into an egg for a great tasting omelet. Find creative ways to add veggies to dishes you already love. 

Put The Veggies On The Top Shelf. When raiding the frig for a snack, it can be more of a temptation to go for the chocolate pudding on the top shelf rather than the baby carrots in the bottom drawer. Make your veggies easily accessible. As long as they are stored properly, they will stay fresh longer and will be the first thing you reach for during that afternoon snack.

By following these tips, you'll find yourself eating better, feeling better and keeping your promise to live a healthy lifestyle.

Share with us some of your favorite ways to sneak those veggies into your diet.

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