Maybe one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, build more muscle, improve your endurance. Maybe it is simply to be and feel healthier. Whatever the reason may be, consuming a wholesome balanced diet is essential for reaching your health goals and that starts with eating plenty of vegetables.
I know eating more vegetables might not sound exactly like the quick ticket to meeting your health goals fast. It may sound more like something your mother might say, but I can promise you that consuming more vegetables will make you feel better, look better, and therefore help you reach your goals. Don’t just take it from me. Research proves it. In the largest and longest study to date, the Harvard-based Nurses’ Healthy Study and Health Professional Follow-up Study, found that a diet rich in vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Eating a diet rich in vegetables can even protect your against certain cancers and lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. Overall, the benefits are endless!
So know we know WHY eating vegetables is important, they are truly nature’s medicine, but let’s talk about HOW you can eat more vegetables this new year with five easy and more importantly delicious ways to get more veggies!
Vegetable filled soups – It’s cold outside, so why not warm up with a low calorie veggie filled soup? It will keep you feeling toasty and give you a hearty dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Check out my favorite recipe for Vegan Tomato Soup
Roasted Vegetables – My personal favorite way to enjoy vegetables! All you need to do is chop up some veggies, toss in a little oil and seasoning, set the oven to 425 degrees F and bake for 15-20 minutes. Try olive, coconut, or avocado oil with a blend of different spices to change the flavor up. There are endless combinations!
Check out a simple recipe for roasted veggies with garlic and olive oil
Add Hummus – Let’s be honest- raw veggies without any dressing or dips is not the most delicious way to enjoy them. By adding a little homemade hummus you’ll add to the flavor. Hummus gives your vegetables a boost of protein, fiber, and healthy fat. This combination of fat, protein, and fiber will help keep you full for hours!
Check out this simple recipe for homemade hummus
Noodles – One the biggest trends these past couple of years has been veggie noodles with zucchini, butternut squash, carrots, and many others. Noodles as vegetables is a low carb option and a great way to add more veggies into your diet. Just swap out your normal flour based noodles or use only half the normal amount you normally would. You can buy veggie noodles precut at the grocery store or spiralizer your own.
Check out this recipe for Garlic and Lemon Butternut Squash Noodles
Spring Rolls – Making your own spring rolls filled with cut up vegetables, like carrots, bell peppers, purple cabbage, or celery. Wrapped in rice paper, they are a creative way to get in those veggies in. Paired with a savory sauce, these homemade spring rolls will be a winner. There are endless combinations.
Check out this recipe for Thai Spring Rolls with Cashew Dipping Sauce
Remember, vegetables are nature’s medicine!