Not everyone gets excited about a big bowl of carrots or a fresh spinach salad. However, these super foods a packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (nutrients that have additional health benefits beyond the required body function). In addition, vegetables are low calorie and full of fiber to keep your stomach full and your digestive tract moving. To help you fit a few more servings of vegetables into your daily routine, try out some of these tips.

• Put spinach on your sandwich at lunch, you will get a satisfying crunch and it’s full of nutrients!
• I love dipping carrots in honey mustard… don’t say it sounds disgusting until you try it. Absolutely delicious!
• Celery with peanut butter (or any nut butter) is a great snack to silence the mid afternoon tummy rumbles.
• Instead of mashed potatoes, try creamed cauliflower. Same white color and similar texture, but the cauliflower is lower in calorie and higher in nutrients and fiber.
• Add shredded carrots to your tomato pasta sauce; carrots actually at a subtle sweetness to the sauce.
• Instead of beef fajitas, make them vegetarian (bell peppers, onions, etc). For protein, add some lentils.
• Swap the crunch of sour cream and onion potato chips with the crunch of sliced cucumber and hummus.

After some time, you will find yourself desiring vegetables because they make you feel so good! One extra piece of advice to remember: fruits and vegetables are important to the diet but so are the other food categories. Fat, carbohydrates, and protein are essential for body function. Be sure you are reaching your dietary requirements for each of the categories for optimal health, energy, and well being.

What are some ways you like to enjoy vegetables?

Research assistance by Kaylee O’Connell