Okay. So carrot sticks are not your favorite snack. But there are hundreds of other ways to include plenty of vegetables in your diet. For example:

• Add chopped mushrooms, diced bell peppers, and onion to spaghetti sauce

• Shred zucchini or chop mushrooms into an omelet mixture or scrambled eggs

• Try a vegetable-bean soup for a hearty winter lunch

• Make your own delicious dip from mashed avocado, low-fat plain yogurt, chopped chilis, lemon juice and chopped fresh cilantro - serve with crunchy carrot sticks and crisp red pepper chunks

• Canned beets can be added to chocolate cake, brownies, and muffins - not only does it make the cake moist, it also adds fiber

• Make stuffed baked potatoes with corn kernels, green onions and diced red pepper

• Add grated carrot or diced mushrooms to meatloaf

• For a healthy after-school snack, top a slice of whole-grain bread with sliced tomato, sliced mushrooms and some diced lean ham, sprinkle with a little grated cheese and broil until bubbling

• Dip baby carrots into a little fat-free salad dressing for an afternoon pick-me-up

• Make a salsa to accompany grilled chicken or fish using diced tomato, diced avocado, finely chopped green onions (or diced red onion), chopped chilis, and fresh cilantro

• Spice up a homemade turkey burger by topping with slices of onion, bell pepper, and some sweet chili sauce

• Add grated carrot, diced onion and fresh herbs to lean ground-beef patties