4 Creative Ways to Eat More Veggies

Since childhood we’ve been encouraged to eat more veggies, yet as adults, many of us still don’t get the recommended two to three daily servings. Great sources of fiber, potassium, folate and vitamin A, vegetables are filled with nutrients that benefit our health in countless ways. Try the following creative tricks to jazz up your veggies so you and your family can receive the nutrients you need while enjoying healthy and delicious meals.

1. Use Your Noodle
Who doesn’t love eating a delicious bowl of noodles? Recently, spiralizing vegetables or transforming them into noodle-like ribbons has become a trendy way to prep and consume veggies. Use kitchen tools like a mandolin, spiralizer or ribbon cutter. Try varieties like zucchini, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots or parsnips. For a simple meal, combine zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts and pesto, or use zucchini strips in place of noodles for a lighter lasagna dinner.

2. Trust the Crust
Whether they’re homemade or store-bought, veggie crusts are an excellent way to enjoy your favorite recipes. Popular veggie crusts include cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potato and zucchini. If making from scratch, it’s important to release as much moisture from the veggies as possible before mixing with eggs and seasonings to form a nice, crispy crust. Top veggie crusts with marinara or pesto, cheese and your favorite toppings for additional flavor and nutrients.

3. Check Out Veggie Chips
Easy to make and even easier to devour, veggie chips are a tasty, healthful snack. Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, kale, zucchini, Brussels sprouts and beets make healthy and delicious homemade chips. Simply cut into thin slices, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and roast in a 375° oven for about 15 minutes or until they crinkle around the edges and turn golden brown. Enjoy veggie chips on their own, dunked into your favorite dip or incorporated into main dishes for an extra crunch.

4. Sweet Treats
Adding different veggies to treats heightens nutritional content and provides magnificent moisture, tempting textures and striking colors. Score more nutrition in desserts by grating zucchini into cookie batters or shredding carrots into oatmeal cookies!