It’s no secret that vegetables are usually the least desirable food on a plate (if they even make it there) especially for kids. Who are we kidding … adults often aren’t much better! With burgers, pizza, fried chicken, and the like as common menu offerings, it’s no wonder why veggies sometimes take a back seat. But vegetables are so beneficial for us. They contain key nutrients necessary for optimal health and can even protect against diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer! So how do we get more of these superfoods into our diet? Here are five tips that work for my family.
1. Roast them!
The days of steaming and boiling vegetables are long gone. Nowadays, it’s all about roasting them! This simple cooking method brings out all the flavor and adds the perfect texture. Honestly, we rarely cook them any other way. And you’d be surprised at how some of your least favorite veggies turn out once roasted. (Literally, Brussel sprouts are my family’s favorite!) Check out this previous blog for more info and ideas on roasting your veggies.
2. Grill them!
Similar to roasting, grilling adds an extra layer of flavor to veggies that you won’t find when boiling, steaming, or blanching. We have been so enjoying our new grill this summer and trying all kinds of different grilled veggies like the Grilled Romaine shown above.
3. Dip them!
Dipping raw veggies in Dr. Brown approved dressings and dips has never been easier. Primal Kitchen and Tessemae’s are both paleo-friendly brands that use clean ingredients to recreate classic dressings and dips including the all time favorite, Creamy Ranch. Not surprisingly these brands have gained quick popularity. Whole foods now stocks multiple products by both, so they are actually rather accessible.
Almond butter is another delicious option to dip your raw veggies into. If you are like Dr. Brown, you may even enjoy slathering almond butter all over your steamed broccoli. His wife and children all agree that this is the most delicious way to eat broccoli! (I still stand by my roasting method but plan to give this seemingly odd combo a shot!) And last but not least, if you are a hummus fan, Whole Foods is now making a paleo hummus using butternut squash in place of the garbanzo beans. Can’t wait to get some hummus back into my life!
4. Top them!
Unlike typical paleo-based diets, the Dr. Brown Diet allows for goat and sheep cheese to be eaten in moderation since they usually don’t promote inflammation in the body like cow dairy does. (Hooray for us!) Many stores are making it a lot more convenient to make this switch by selling goat and sheep cheese pre-shredded, crumbled, sliced, and the like. Cheese always adds that extra punch of flavor to any dish but especially when that dish is made up of veggies!
5. Blend them!
A super easy way to add more vegetables into your diet is to blend them up into a smoothie. Bonus if you can disguise them with fruit, and the kids never know they are there like we did with our Harvest Breakfast Smoothie!
I hope these 5 tips help you easily incorporate more veggies into your family’s menu.
Enjoy!
