When our loved ones eat healthy food, they are likely to stay strong, stave off a variety of illnesses and have the vitality to engage in the things they love. Some of the healthiest food items that your loved one can eat include fruits and veggies. These, especially if fresh and organic, can provide many healthy nutrients. However, some people struggle to eat veggies and fruits. Here are some ways that you can get your loved one to eat more fruits and veggies.
Why Fruits and Veggies Matter
When it comes to superfoods, nothing beats fruits and veggies. They are packed with a variety of nutrients ranging from Vitamin C to potassium and more. Many of these nutrients can help your loved one handle problems such as memory loss, diabetes, and other problems that come as we grow older. They are also choke-full of fiber which is great for digestion. Unless your loved one has special dietary needs, they are far better than supplements as they are completely natural. The other great thing about fruits and veggies is that they are relatively lower in calories than most other food items which means that there is little danger of weight gain.
Vary the Dishes
They say that variety is the spice of life and nowhere does this apply more than when it comes to fruits and veggies. You should make sure that your loved one has a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. You can easily do this by planning in advance and ensuring that you buy enough fruits for a few days or for a week. The same applies to vegetables. Another way is to vary the way you serve these items. For example, you can bulk up main meals with veggies. Diced carrots can be added to soups while greens can be added to other meals such as beef or fish. However, when you use veggies to bulk up other dishes, avoid overcooking the veggies as this may destroy the nutrients.
New Recipes
The other way to encourage your loved one to eat more veggies and fruits is to look for new recipes that include veggies. The internet is a treasure trove when it comes to recipes. Do not confine yourself to just American dishes but try to get cuisines from all over the world. Not only will this spike interest in the food but you may also discover new and more nutritious fruits and veggies that you didn’t even know existed.
Use Different Formats
When it comes to fruits and veggies, you do not always have to consume them directly in their original form. By using a blender or juicer, you can create dips, purees, and smoothies, all of which are great ways of consuming veggies and fruits. You have to be careful however to ensure that you do not break the fibers during the blending process. The best way to do it is by ensuring that you do not over blend the fruits or veggies. The other thing to remember is that any fruits and veggies that you use in this process must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid any possibility of infection.