No more excuses - Eat your Vegetables! Part 2
Article written by Germaine Guzman.
We should all know that vegetables are beneficial and can improve our health in a powerful way but why can’t we meet these recommendations? Why do we have so many excuses to get out of eating them? This article is the second one in this two part series and looks at some of the excuses commonly used to get out of eating vegetables and ways to overcome these. Click here to read our first article on this series which provides some of the reasons why we should eat our vegetables despite how unappealing they may sometimes seem.
Excuses Excuses...
Here are 5 top excuses used to get out of eating your vegetables and suggestions to over come these!
Excuse number 1: Vegetables aren’t convenient enough, other snacks are more convenient!
- Make snack-size vegetable portions easily accessible. Make some vegetable sticks using carrots, celery, cucumber and bell pepper and keep them in the fridge and ready-to-eat when you have the munchies at work or at home.2
- Try single-serve veggie packs. These days, grocery stores may sell small snack-serve packs of vegetable sticks. Pop one into your work fridge along with a healthy dip and you’ve got yourself a healthy snack!
- Single-serve frozen vegetables are also available in supermarkets, just pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes and serve.1, 2
Excuse number 2: I just don’t like vegetables!
- Be adventurous! Try different types of vegetables and disguise them with a condiment such as gravy or dip them into salsa or fat free cottage cheese.1
- Add vegetables to the foods you like. Grate or dice them and include them in stews, casseroles, omelettes etc.1, 2
- Serve a green salad with dinner. They go great with a juicy steak or other sources of protein. Make it fun by using more than just lettuce. Try adding baby spinach, arugula, lightly steamed broccoli, tomato, steamed pumpkin or red bell pepper and top it off with your favorite dressing.1, 2
- More ideas available in our article titled ‘Invasion of the Vegetable’.
Excuse number 3: I’m always eating out!
- KFC, Subway, and even McDonalds serve salads. So why not ditch the Big Mac one night and opt for a Chicken Salad instead? Your body will thank you for it in the long run.2
- If you’re dining in a restaurant, opt for a vegetable side such as grilled vegetables or a delightful salad.2
Excuse number 4: My vegetables spoil before I get to eat them!
- Shop for fresh produce a few days at a time. If you’ve just bought some fresh vegetables make sure you use them right away or freeze some for later.2
- Frozen vegetables are convenient and are great to have in your freezer if you’re out of fresh produce.2
- Tinned vegetables are also convenient and have a good shelf life.2
Excuse number 5: Vegetables cost too much!
- Buy in-season produce whenever possible as their prices are generally reasonable.2
- Buy frozen or tinned vegetables. Often, they are less expensive and are available all year round.2
- Buy small amounts of fresh produce at a time. Don’t waste your money on throwing out spoiled vegetables. Select vegetables you know you are going to eat.2
- Find stores that offer great prices on fresh/frozen/tinned vegetables. Do a little research to ensure you grab the best deals available.2
Overall, we all know that vegetables are good for us and are vital for general health. So leave your excuses behind and get onto the ‘veggie wagon’! Embrace this food group and become a reformed vegetable eater like myself.
References
- Sanitarium: The Health Food Company, 2007. Colour me healthy - with fruits and vegetables [Online]. Available at http://www.sanitarium.com.au/article/article.do?art-id=241 [Accessed 4th May 2009].
- WebMD, May 2007. No Excuses: Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables [Online]. Available at http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/no-excuses-eat-your-fruits-vegetables?print=true [Accessed 4th May 2009].
Last updated 17 June 2009
