Do you struggle to have the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day?
Set a realistic goal, like increasing your intake by one or two servings per day. Once you reach your goal and maintain it for several weeks, consider setting a new goal, until eventually you achieve the recommended amounts per day for optimal health.
10 tips to help make it easier to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your family’s meals and snacks:
• Wash and cut fresh vegetables after purchasing them. This makes it easier to remember to eat during the week and reduces the risk they’ll be forgotten and go bad.
• Store fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and veggies in visible places in the refrigerator, shelves and countertops.
• Get rid of the candy jar! Instead, keep a bowl of washed apples, oranges, bananas and other fruits on the table.
• You like sweets? Try eating fruit with yogurt for dessert.
• Include a veggie tray with dip for a healthy before-dinner snack.
• Make a habit of including a side salad with a mix of leafy greens with lunch or dinner.
• Add veggies like spinach, tomatoes, peppers and avocado to sandwiches
• Add veggies to your pizza.
• Make fruit smoothies for breakfast and snacks.
• Incorporate at least one serving of veggies or fruits into all snacks and meals throughout the day.