Recently I mentioned in a blog some of my mid-years goals. One of my goals was to eat three fruits and three vegetables a day. This has been going really well and has helped me to explore new foods.
Previously, one of my favorite veggies to snack on was carrots. Whenever I would go to a party, I would load up my plate with carrots before I even look around at the other options. Starting with a healthy choice would make it less likely for me to eat a ton of sweet snacks later.
Although I love carrots so much, I knew when I made my mid-year goals that I needed to explore other fruits and vegetables. In doing this I discovered how much I love red bell peppers! I eat them raw or cooked, but especially raw. I find them very tasty plain, however, sometimes plain does get a little boring. To fix this I will dip them in humus or a non-fat ranch dressing.
Another perk of eating three veggies and three fruits a day, is that I tend to get fuller faster. At lunch time I have lately been eating raw vegetables first. By doing this I start to get full and then eat a smaller portion of the main course.
At dinner time I typically start off with a salad, loading it up with tasty veggies. For example, Friday night I made a salad for my family. I had a leafy lettuce mix and added cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots. This fresh and tasty salad was a hit.
I have also been enjoying eating more fruit. I like bananas and apples, but I needed to find a third fruit to have on hand. At the grocery store I started buying fruits that looked really fresh like the grapes and raspberries. I also knew that my husband loves cantaloupe so I have been buying that more often. I have discovered that I really enjoy it too!
Although some of my other goals have been harder to achieve, eating three fruits and three vegetables a day has been attainable. I can already tell that it is positively affecting my health.
I think the key is finding what you like and going from there.
Some Tips to Keep in Mind:
Load your fridge and fruit basket with your family favorite fruits and veggies
Often try new fruits or veggies to change things up
Check out your local farmers market to find seasonal foods at a good price (sometimes they will let you try a sample)
Talk with your friends and co-workers about your new favorite healthy snack and see what their favorite is to get new ideas
Related Articles:
Making Healthy Living Your Lifestyle
Making Small, Achievable Goals
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