I Hate Vegetables

In response to my recent blog entry, Anatomy of a Healthy Salad, I received something all bloggers treasure, a reader question. 

“My problem is that I like peas, beans and tomatoes (and spinach in small doses) only. All other vegetables are so horrid I can't stand it. I'd like to eat veggies, but I can't get past the taste buds - any ideas?”

You aren’t alone, dear reader.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75% of Americans don't eat the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. That's alarming, considering how important vegetables are to maintaining a healthy and productive lifestyle--but not surprising, given that many people would love to have barbecue sauce classified as a vegetable and be done with the whole affair.

Having successfully brought four children through picky-eater toddlerhood, I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve. Here are some painless ways to work healthy vegetables into your diet. 

Incorporate vegetables into your favorite foods.  It’s really easy to sneak vegetables into such family favorites as spaghetti sauce, meatloaf, lasagna, and chili.  Spinach, carrots, peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant and even green beans, all finely chopped or grated, work well for this.  If just tossing them in is too much for your inner veggie critic, try pureeing them and stirring them in.  It’s also easy to mash a variety of vegetables in with mashed potatoes.  Carrots, and cabbage are my children’s favorites, or try some pureed greens for green potatoes.  You can even incorporate vegetables into baked goods like zucchini bread or carrot raisin muffins.   Another trick, toss some veggies on your favorite pizza or sandwich.  You might be more likely to consume tomatoes, sprouts, or greens if they are hiding under your pepperoni or roast beef.

Vegetables can be dessert.  Did you know half a cup of pumpkin pie counts as a serving of vegetables?  You can even make it without the crust to reduce calories.  Sweet potatoes, rhubarb, and a variety of squashes work really well in dessert pies, plus you don’t have to add a lot of sugar to make them tasty.

Experiment with different seasonings and cooking methods.  Vegetables don’t always have to be steamed and bland.  Sautéing in good quality oil and seasoning with fresh herbs may add just the zing to make your palette sing. (Cheesy, I know, but I couldn’t resist.)  Oven broiling or grilling can also add a different flavor and consistency to vegetables you think you hate.

Drink your veggies.  I’ve not personally tried juicing fresh vegetables, but I have friends who swear by it.  Mixing fresh vegetable juice with your favorite fruit juice can help make it tastier.  Or try a green smoothie (fresh greens mixed with fruit in a blender).  I have one very good friend who swears by them.

Still can’t take it?  Try Shakeology.  While I’m not one to jump to product endorsements, this one rocks.  All natural, whole foods ingredients, and tasty to boot, Shakeology can be used as a meal replacement or supplement, and it contains many of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients you would find in a diet full of fresh vegetables.  But don’t use it as an excuse to skip the vegetable matter.  Fresh fruits and vegetables are definitely the gold standard.

By the way, I love, love, love hearing from readers.  Have a question or suggestion (I take rave compliments, too)?  Be sure to hit me up in the comments section or drop me an email.