Many people tend to think of juicing or cleanses when someone mentions eating more “green” foods. However, it’s important to consider “going green” as including more produce in general! By increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed in your daily diet, your energy levels and nutrient levels increase too! Each color of fruit or vegetable provides different combinations of vitamins and minerals so it’s important to include all colors.
Hydration levels also increase with produce intake! Fruits and vegetables are made up of water along with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants helping you to recover from exercise, fight off disease and illness and overall stay healthy.
For those of you looking to lean out for spring, it can be an easy weight loss solution – “go green” especially at dinner by pairing a protein source with produce to fill you up in the healthiest way by adding fiber, water and nutrients to your plate.
So how can you start including more “green” foods in your daily routine? Start here!
- Sneak veggies in other foods that you already like
- Try spinach or kale in smoothies – it’s tasteless!
- Chop up veggies to add to an omelet
- Try making fries or spiralizing with zucchini, sweet potato or carrots
- Fold spinach or arugula into casseroles
- Put diced bell pepper, onion, and mushroom in your ground meat mix for burgers
- Prepare them in creative ways
- Roasted veggies: Cut them up, toss them in olive oil, sprinkle on salt and pepper, and put them on a foil lined pan in the oven at 400 degrees F for 30-40 minutes.
- Stir Fry or Sautee: Throw slices of your favorite green in a pan with some oil on medium high heat for ~5 minutes until they become soft and lighter in color.
- Grill: Place asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, etc. into a foil pouch with olive oil & seasonings. Toss onto the grill while your meat or other food is cooking.
- Increase the fun factor – this can really be helpful for kids!
- Corn on the cob
- Veggie kabobs
- Celery sticks with peanut butter
- Stuffed bell peppers
- Stuff Portobello mushrooms
- Dip them – hummus, guacamole, bean dip
