Everybody Eats: Vegetables

Now everybody knows they are supposed to eat Vegetables but do they know why?  Vegetables are an important source of many different nutritients like potassium, folate, Vitamin A and Vitamin C.  Not only are they are full of vitamins and minerals but they are also natually low in calories and fat.  So these vegetables are providing you with all the good things like fiber and vitamins without all of the calories and fat. 

Now a lot of people say they don't like vegetables so here are some tips to increase the amount you eat every day.

1)  Buy seasonally because the vegetable will be the freshest and tastiest.  To see when things are in season in your area go here.
2) Put vegetables in casseroles and lasagnas.
3) Make vegetables more appealing with a dipping sauce.
4) Use pureed, cooked vegetables such as potatoes to thicken stews, soups and gravies. These add flavor, nutrients, and texture
5) Order pizza with veggies instead of meat!

There are so many ways to increase your veggies but how do you get kids to eat them?

1) First set a good example and make sure you are eating vegetables.
2) Children love to  help in the kitchen so let them!  They can tear up lettuce or mix the salad.  Depending on their age they may even be able to chop up some
3) Let children decide on the dinner vegetable.  Variety is important but maybe let them decide for one meal and the parents pick for the other!


This week try and enjoy a vegetable you have never had before!