Eat Your Vegetables!

By Donna Stark

Are you struggling to eat the recommended number of vegetables each day? If you are, June is the month for you! And that's because National Eat Your Vegetables Day is smack-dab in the middle of it! This delicious little holiday is perfectly timed with the abundance of summer vegetables and with your desire to start eating lighter meals, so why don't you get started today? Let your creative side loose and see what will become of it. Who knows? Your struggles to eat more vegetables may end up being a thing of the past!

Reasons to Eat More Vegetables

Have you been told to eat the rainbow at every meal? If you have, you probably know that doesn't mean to eat a bowl of the cereal that has a picture of a leprechaun on the box.  What it does mean, though, is to eat more vegetables ... deeply-hued, colorful vegetables that is! Here are some suggestions on how you can have fun while adding more vegetables to your meals.

• Make simple additions - You can always make your meals better by adding more vegetables. Try roasting some broccoli and sweet potatoes to serve as a side dish, have a freshly tossed salad to dig into at every meal, and chop up some vegetables, such as lettuce, spinach, avocado, onions, and tomatoes to top your sandwiches and burgers.
• Hit the farmers market - Waking up early over the weekend to visit your local farmers market is a great way to support your neighbors and fill your home with loads of nutrition. Buying local is also the best way to find the ripest and freshest produce in season.
• Try something new - If you have never been to a vegetarian restaurant, you don't know what you are missing! Eating a vegetarian meal is the perfect way to try something you may not be used to. It's also a great way to see how filling a meal made entirely out of vegetables can be.
• Get creative - There are more vegetables and recipes to try than you could ever imagine being out there! Take some time to learn about the vegetables available to you and search online to find some recipes that highlight them. 

Consuming the Recommended Amount

It's time to challenge yourself by making some changes to your daily diet and adding more vegetables to your meals. From breakfast to lunch to afternoon snacks to dinner, there are plenty of ways to do it. So, get started today and reach your goals by the time National Eat Your Vegetables Day comes around! You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Ramon, Calif.