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Ways to Make Vegetables More Appealing

One of the simple truths out there is that being without the right nutrition to support your training, in real terms you are essentially just wasting your time. There is also one nutrition subject that almost all the experts agree on. You need to eat more vegetables. It’s a simple concept, but one that many of us struggle with. Whilst we would all love to eat more vegetables, very few of us actually pull it off. For most people, it’s all too easy to replace the space on the plate with tastier (and less nutritious) alternatives. It happens to the best of us.

Lets look at some ways you can make vegetables more appealing and get more of them into your diet today.

1. Hide them: The easiest way to get more veggies in your diet? Sneak them in! This is a technique often used for fussy kids, but it works a treat for adults too. Big saucy meals are the best for hiding extra vegetables – think curries, chillies and casseroles. Use onions and a high quality tomato passata for serious flavour and two extra portions of veggies without even thinking it. You can then start being a bit more sneaky by adding finely sliced carrot, courgette ribbons, finely chopped broccoli, red and yellow peppers, or just about anything else to the mix!
2. Smoothies: If you’re handy with a blender, why not try and sneak a serving of vegetables in your favourite smoothie? Easily masked by the natural sweetness of the fruit, you can blend one or even two different vegetables in your smoothie without even tasting them.
3. Courgette/carrot cake oats: This may sound weird, but bear with us! When you next knock up a bowl of porridge, try adding some grated courgette or carrot ribbons into the mix. Believe it or not, it actually improves the flavour by giving it a really smooth consistency, whilst increasing the nutritional profile to boot. Top with your favourite nuts and berries for a simple superfood breakfast!
4. Pan fry in coconut oil: All you need is a frying pan and some coconut oilto make your vegetables much more appetising. Onions, mushrooms, asparagus, peppers, courgette, tomatoes, spinach, and even kale taste delicious when fried in coconut oil and seasoned with a good helping of salt and pepper!
5. Make a good dressing: If you’re whipping together a salad for lunch, the dressing can make all the difference. No one likes plain salad leaves, so bring them to life with a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, and a teaspoon each of raw honey and tahini. Combine these four ingredients to make the tastiest homemade salad dressing you’ve ever had!
6. Add ‘partners’: Pairing your vegetables with a delicious partner will help make them much more appealing. No one really enjoys brussels sprouts on their own, but pair them with bacon, shallots and chestnuts and you won’t be able to resist going back for seconds! The same goes for kale – try it with toasted flaked almonds and a splash of soy sauce for a serious upgrade.
7. Soup: Soup is brilliant in the colder months, and a great way to increase your intake of healthy vegetables. Try a spiced parsnip, butternut squash and carrot soup for three easy portions in minutes!