Eating Green for Springtime Health

Warmer weather means green is showing up everywhere. Finally, you’re able to get up, get out, get some exercise and then recharge from your spring day. Putting green food on your plate more regularly is good for your health, overall, so why not turn over a new leaf… and eat it? This spring is a good time to start new, healthy eating habits.

Why More Produce?

Fruits and vegetables can provide roughage, as well as important vitamins and minerals. These have the benefit of reducing your overall risk for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke and more. The more balanced your diet, the more balanced your body is, meaning it has all the elements it needs to function as a well-oiled machine. The more balance you have in your diet, the better your health.

Breakfast Ideas

When it comes to breakfast, the old adage that its “the most important meal of the day” is true, especially in terms of habit-forming. Especially if you aren’t used to a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables, breakfast is the time to get yourself in the habit of eating them. It’s a good time to turn your normal breakfast protein into something more colorful, with great taste.

• If you have yogurt or cereal in the morning, it’s simple enough to add fruit to it. It’s a good alternative to sugar to add some banana slices or fruit to it
• If you’re a big egg eater, add veggies to whatever you’re cooking up. It adds color, texture, and a more nuanced flavor.
  • Try cooking up just egg whites, too, to the most health benefits from your morning eggs
• Try smoothies. You can even disguise healthy vegetable that you wouldn’t normally think about in a drink – like spinach and carrots – with enough fruit to make a delicious start to your day

Lunch Ideas

If you’re a sandwich eater, add tomato slices, lettuce, onions, whatever you can. They’ll help you fill up, add roughage, and flavor that simple cheese and meat can’t provide. You might even try a veggie sandwich with a replacement protein like cooked egg whites or tofu – it isn’t bland if you add whatever your favorite spices are.

If you like pizza for lunch, try it with less cheese and no meat. Try a good veggie pizza and get your roughage, calories and nutrients that way.

Dinner/Supper Ideas

Whether you like soup, casserole or pasta for dinner, they all present opportunities to add veggies without much fuss. Chopping a few up and spicing them right can really add pep to your dinner. Making your dessert some simple fruit is also a perfect way to end the meal.

Summary

Eating healthier might take some time, but it will be worth it. Adding fruits and veggies sometimes feels like a chore if you aren’t used to it, but humans have been doing it forever – because we need them. Not having a taste for them just means you haven’t had them in long enough, or prepared right. Now’s the time to spruce up your meals.