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