Veggie Noodles Are a Must-Try
Not everyone loves eating vegetables. They push them to the side of the plate, pretend to eat them, or slyly feed them to the dog under the table. None of these tactics will help you get the nutrients that vegetables provide, so it's time to get creative. Here are 20 clever ways to eat more veggies.
1. Add Veggies to Smoothies
The next time you're making a fruit smoothie, sneak some spinach, kale, or zucchini in there. The right fruit will mask the flavor of the vegetables without minimizing their nutrients.
2. Spiralize Vegetable Noodles
Use a spiralizer to make noodles or pasta from zucchinis, carrots, or sweet potatoes. This method produces a wonderful noodle substitute and a healthier alternative to pasta. This bowl of vegetable noodles is great for kids, and they won't even catch a hint of the veggies.
3. Muffins With a Hint of Vegetables
Add a small amount of carrot or pumpkin to a muffin mixture to make them healthier and richer in nutrients. The vegetable flavor will be subtle, but a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, or nutmeg can enhance the sweetness to cover it up. These muffins are also a strong source of fiber.
4. Cauliflower Pizza Crust
For your next pizza night, mix cauliflower rice with egg and cheese to create a crispy and delicious crust. Top with a rich tomato sauce and then your favorite toppings. This clever method lets you indulge in gooey pizza while getting closer to reaching your daily requirement of vegetables.
5. Puree Vegetables into Sauces
Sauces are one of the most clever ways to sneak vegetables into your diet or someone else's. You can make a green goddess sauce or blend carrots, zucchini, or spinach into a cheese or tomato sauce. Picky eaters won't even know what they're putting in their mouths.
6. Vegetables and Dip
Throw potato chips in the trash, and use vegetables as your next dipper. Sliced carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers are wonderful vessels for salsa, hummus, or guacamole. This clever way to eat veggies replaces empty calories with a nutrient-rich crunch of freshness.
7. Veggie Fries
Just because everyone loves French fries doesn't mean that you also can't enjoy sweet potato or parsnip fries. Veggies let you mimic fries without ingesting all their saturated fats. Try this healthy substitute if French fries are your favorite comfort food.
8. Mix Veggies into Burgers
Sneak some veggies into each burger patty, and no one will know the difference. Add some finely chopped mushrooms, sauteed onions, or spinach to the ground beef or turkey mixture. Veggies can also add moisture and flavor to burgers.
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9. Veggie Chips
Veggie chips are awesome and perfect for a French onion dip. Make a batch of kale, beet, and zucchini chips and season them with olive oil and sea salt. This crunchy snack will be a huge hit at game night.
10. Lettuce Wraps
At your next taco night, replace tortillas with lettuce and experience a fresh take on a classic dish. Use iceberg lettuce and enjoy far fewer calories with every bite.
11. Bake with Vegetable Puree
Use pumpkin or squash puréee to make pancakes, bread, or waffles. Making a vegetable-based batter won't compromise the flavor. If using Autumn vegetables, add some cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the flavor.
12. Add Vegetables to Meatballs
Add some shredded carrot or zucchini to your meatball mixtures. They will elevate the flavor and might even add a greater depth of color. The vegetables will also keep the meatballs moist.
13. Extra Veggies on Pizza
Here's a simple yet clever way to introduce more vegetables into your daily life. Load your pizza with extra vegetables instead of meat toppings. Just pick your favorites and ask for extra. There's no such thing as too many green peppers or mushrooms on a pizza.
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14. Hide Veggies in Soups
Soups are the best cover for vegetables. Blend cauliflower, cooked onions, broccoli, or carrots into your favorite creamy soups. A soup disguises the texture of vegetables, and if you use the right vegetables, you can elevate the flavor of your soup.
15. Cauliflower Rice
Replace rice with cauliflower rice and enjoy a great texture and some additional fiber. Chop cauliflower in a food processor, and then lightly sautée it. Cauliflower rice is great for diabetics or anyone on a low-carb diet.
16. Veggie Omelets
Fold your favorite greens into eggs and then pour them into a hot pan to make a delicious omelet. Spinach, mushrooms, and peppers work great with fluffy eggs. Furthermore, the strong egg flavor can subdue the flavor of the vegetables.
17. Stuffed Peppers
Hollow out a bell pepper and stuff it with a mixture of ground beef or pork, onions, rice, and spices. The peppers are the perfect container for meat, and remain the star of the dish. This meal is perfect for kids who love when food is presented in a fun way.
18. Vegetable Chili
No one will be able to tell if your chili is packed with veggies, and you don't even have to change your recipe. Just add some extra mushrooms, onions, and peppers to your next batch, and watch how much your family will love it.
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19. Vegetables for Lasagna Layers
Instead of just making a vegetable lasagna, replace the pasta sheets with eggplant or zucchini slices. Make sure the slices aren't too thick, but still thick enough to provide structure to the lasagna.
20. Veggie Pancakes
Whip up a batch of spinach or pumpkin pancakes. The flavor is slightly different than traditional pancakes, but covering them with maple syrup ensures that your kids won't notice.
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