Fruits and veggies are highly nutritious and an excellent start to eating clean. Not only that, but they also provide your body with many essential vitamins and other nutrients. Unfortunately, making these things a regular part of our diet can be difficult. The good news is that both fruit and veggies are versatile in their use in the kitchen. Here are several great ways to incorporate fresh produce into every meal of the day.
Different Ways to Eat More Fruits and Veggies
Eat More Fruits for Breakfast
Many fruits are already considered a great addition to a complete breakfast. For example, orange or grapefruit juice provides a wholesome alternative to coffee and sugary sports drinks. However, remember that some of these juices contain added sugars, so be sure you enjoy them in moderation.
Another way to serve fruits at breakfast is in the form of a homemade fruit spread. Take fresh fruit and slowly boil it down to thicken. You can add honey for sweetness, though many fruits will be sweet enough without it. Depending on your fruit, you may need to add a little pectin to help it thicken as it cools. This fresh fruit spread makes an excellent topping for a bagel or a piece of toast.
Vegetables are associated with breakfast less often. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to appreciate them. For example, you can try bell pepper or tomato slices with eggs to bring a little something extra to your omelets. Or, you could take a step toward a full English breakfast and include fried tomatoes in the meal.
If you prefer a shake or a smoothie in the morning for breakfast, there are all sorts of recipes for fruit and veggie smoothies available on the internet. It only takes a quick search to find them.
Eat More Veggies for Lunch
Lunch is a meal that many of us take for granted. But unfortunately, for many people, lunchtime is a hectic period, and they often choose the fast-food option rather than the healthy one.
Vegetable soup is a good choice, allowing you to add whatever products you desire. If you change up what you mix each time, you’ll be able to enjoy a little variety from batch to batch. Another option is to eat raw fruits or veggies with lunch or as a snack.
Having Both for Dinner
Adding fruit to your dinner is easier than you may think. Any fruit you can imagine can be cooked into a sauce or glaze for anything from beef, chicken, pork, or seafood. Some fruit also makes an excellent topping for simple meals like hamburgers or pizza.
Regarding vegetables, it’s likely that you already eat them with your dinner regularly. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more in your diet. Plan meals that center around vegetables as often as possible, such as soup or stir fry.
Also, don’t forget about a yummy side salad, and never pass up an excellent opportunity to include vegetables, fruit, and nuts into your evening meal. Greens such as kale or lettuce are the perfect example of this.
One of the main influences on fruits and veggies prices is the season. These foods are much less expensive and easier to find during and after the harvest season. For example, pumpkins are widely available in the fall, while pineapples are easy to see in the spring. Making your fruit and vegetable choices based on the season allows you to save money and give your menu a fun-to-eat theme.
