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From blending veggies in sauces to adding them to your favorite breakfast recipes, try these tips on how to eat more vegetables.

Amanda Evans, MS, RD, CDE is a Registered Dietitian at Charlevoix Hospital and the Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital Wellness Workshop. The wellness workshop offers low-cost health screenings and wellness activities—think yoga, diabetes education, childbirth classes, strength training, support groups and cooking classes—in the heart of downtown Charlevoix.  

When it comes to cooking, Amanda knows the importance of adding vegetables to your meals—even for the pickiest of eaters. These are her top tips on how to sneak veggies into every meal.

10 Sneaky + Tasty Tips: How to Eat More Vegetables

Make “fries.”

The obvious white potato and sweet potato are good options but consider turnips, parsnips, beets and various types of squash. A drizzle of olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt or your favorite seasoning makes the flavors come to life.

Eat vegetables with breakfast.

Try options such as omelets, frittatas or egg skillets and add peppers, tomatoes, onions, spinach, mushrooms—whatever veggies you like.

Add vegetables to sauces such as marinara for pasta dishes.

Experiment with various vegetables. If chunky sauce isn’t appealing, try pureeing vegetables to mix into the sauce.

Replace pasta and rice dishes with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.

Eating zucchini noodles will never be the same as eating pasta noodles—change it up a bit. Instead of making spaghetti and using a red marinara sauce, I sauté the zucchini noodles and add various vegetables, including diced tomatoes.

If you enjoy fruit smoothies, don’t forget your vegetables.

You can add a cup (or more) of raw baby spinach without altering the fruity flavor. (Tip: If you are feeding this to a younger child, name it something fun like a “Monster Smoothie.” They don’t seem to mind the weird green color if it has a fun name!)

Make muffin/bread recipes that include fruits and veggies.

My family likes banana zucchini oatmeal muffins, sweet potato muffins, baked blueberry oatmeal cups and even pumpkin pie quinoa breakfast cookies. You can also do this with pancakes, waffles and so much more. Don’t overlook “bites” made with various fruits, vegetables, grains and nut butters as a way to sneak in a quick, healthy breakfast or snack.

Add vegetables to “burgers.”

If you are not wild about veggie burgers, use ground beef, turkey or chicken and add in your choice of diced vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach or colorful bell peppers. If this does not appeal to you, try adding pureed carrots or sweet potato instead of diced.

Need a quick lunch (or breakfast or dinner)?

Try wrapping fruit in a whole wheat tortilla with a little bit of nut butter. My personal favorite is a sliced apple with natural peanut butter and cinnamon. My kids enjoy banana and peanut butter. Of course, you can always make a veggie wrap with bell peppers, onions, spinach and more.

If cost is a factor, purchase frozen fruits and vegetables instead of fresh.

A bowl of thawed berries can be a tasty treat! We always keep frozen fruit on hand for smoothiesno need to add ice! (Tip: Be cautious of canned optionsthey often contain more sodium and sugar.)

Always add more vegetables than the original recipe calls for.

Be it soup, chili, homemade pizza, casserolesI always add more vegetables.

Learn more about Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital’s Wellness Workshop.

Recipe: Twice-Baked Chicken Fajita Sweet Potatoes

Amanda Evans, MS, RD, CDE shares one of her favorite veggie-packed dishes. Try making these affordable and tasty twice-baked chicken fajita sweet potatoes at home.

Servings: 6

Author: Cafe Delites

Ingredients
  • 3 medium-sized sweet potatoes, washed
  • Olive oil
  • 1/2 a red onion, thinly sliced
  • 9-ounces cooked chicken breast, sliced into 1-inch strips
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 small orange/yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 small green bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon sweet (or smoked) paprika
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese (or cheddar or mozzarella cheese)
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro leaves (optional)
  • Extra lime wedges to serve
  • 1 avocado, diced (optional)
  • Salsa to serve
Instructions

Fast Method: Wrap sweet potatoes in one piece of paper towel. Microwave on high for 10 minutes. Remove carefully from microwave and unwrap (be careful of the steam that will escape from inside the paper towels). Pierce all over with a fork, wrap again and microwave for 14–15 more minutes until soft (if the centers are still a little hard, don’t worry they will continue to cook in the oven later).

Slow Method: Preheat oven to 430°F. Spray a baking tray/sheet with nonstick spray and arrange sweet potatoes. Roast for one hour in the oven or until soft (check them after 40 minutes, pierce with a fork and continue roasting if needed).

While the sweet potatoes are cooking, add a small amount of oil to the frying pan. Cook the onions on the a skillet/frying pan over medium-high heat. Once transparent (about 1–2 minutes), add the chicken, garlic and bell peppers. Cook until the garlic is fragrant. Add in the seasonings and continue cooking until chicken is completely coated. Mix the beans through; take off heat and set aside.

Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven; allow them to cool for about 5 minutes until they are just warm enough to handle (not until they’re completely cold); and carefully slice them in half. Slice around the inside of the skin, leaving a 1cm “wall” around the inside of the skin. Slice small cubes into the flesh for easier removal. Scoop out the “flesh” and transfer it into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set the skins aside.

Add the chicken fajita mixture to the sweet potato in the bowl; mix it through until completely combined. Stir in the lime juice.

Arrange the skins on the same baking tray/sheet, and stuff them with the fajita sweet potato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and the coriander/cilantro leaves (optional). Put them back into the oven for 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown (or place under the grill/broiler in the oven for 10 minutes for golden, crispy cheese).

Serve with any leftover coriander/cilantro leaves, lime wedges, avocado pieces and salsa.

Written by Courtney Jerome

Photo(s) by Amanda Evans