How to Add more Veggies in your Diet with Anca from CookStyle
Today I have the lovely Anca from CookStyle taking over my blog again! She previously dropped by to share her thoughts on why going to a blogging conference is a great idea and today she is back to talk about veggies!
Hi.
I’m Anca, a vegetarian food blogger form Liverpool, sharing my recipes on CookStyle. I will start by thanking Sarah for allowing me to share my tips with you.
As a vegetarian, one might assume that I eat all the veggies I need. Well, it’s not as simple as that, mainly because lots of unhealthy foods are vegetarian: pizza, chips, cheese pies and quiches, cakes and almost all desserts. I want to eat healthy, so, for me, like for the most people with the health in mind, I must make the proper choices.
In the last couple of years, I did a few things that helped me develop new and healthy habits. In return, these make me feel good even if I overdo it with the less healthy stuff. I have over 5 portions of fruits and veggies daily, often getting up to 10 and over.
First of all, add a daily smoothie or a soup. What started as a 30 days challenge a year and a half ago, is now something I really need daily to feel good. There are so many options when it comes to soup, canned, fresh, made at home in batches and popped in the freeze or made in small daily batches if you have the time and fancy doing that.
With smoothies is even easier, two different fruits, like a banana and some grapes, 150ml juice, two teaspoons of chia or flaxseeds or oats. All blended and is enough for a big glass of 250ml. Is perfect for breakfast, it can be put in a shaker and enjoyed as a snack at work. It also gives 3 portions from the recommended 5 a day.
In the mornings, my husband and I like to have a big breakfast, like a cheese sandwich and a smoothie. So, I would usually roast some peppers and keep them in the fridge for a few days. It gives an extra taste to the sandwiches and, if you use the equivalent of 1 pepper, it also adds another portion of veggies. Other veggies that can be added in sandwiches for a lovely taste are stir-fried mushrooms, again, easy to keep in the fridge for a few days. A thick tomato sauce will give the sandwich a pizza-like taste and add healthiness.
By adding a bit of veggies in the sandwich and a smoothie, we get 4 portions by 9am. It’s a good way to start the day.
When you are cooking, add some veggies. You are making a pizza, add some sundried tomatoes and maybe some mushrooms if you like them. Making jacket potatoes? Toss in some chopped onions in a pan, fry them for a few minutes, then add the baked beans to heat. Making a pie? Don’t forget to add some peas as a side dish.
The last tip I’m sharing is adding some fruits with the dessert. You are having a slice of cake, add a fruit too. I love grapes with shortbread or a slice of chocolate cake with an orange. It makes me feel like I’m having more dessert, when, in fact, one is a really healthy option.
I hope you think my tips are helpful. Eating healthy is not a sprint, but a marathon, and every small choice matters.
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I love smoothies, too, but not for breakfast. We like to make pizza on the grill, and first grill the veggies, then add them all to the pizza. I try to not use up all my veggies within a few days of shopping, then I have none left for the remainder! It is that time of year everything is so extra good, too, fruits are bursting with flavor and juicy.
I do need to eat more fruit and veg
Great tips and an eye opener, I also thought being vegetarian was healthier but reading your post I’ve realised it can be really unhealthy, you are doing a fantastic job at adding healthy options to everyday meals xxx
Very good ideas, thank you. I like to make vegetables the main part of the meal, but it’s worth remembering that they can be added to most things. I especially like the “not a sprint, but a marathon” point; that’s so true.
The breakfast sandwich with cheese and peppers is something I have never tried but it does sure sound delicious.
Love this. I definetly need to add more in.
great ideas for me being more healthy
I am veggie and my husband said he thought he ate loads of veg before he met me but they were just on the side things. It is crazy how much money you save eating plants and you can do so much with them.
Keep inspiring people with these posts x
Some great, easy tips here to add extra veggies – I just need to do them!
Love the idea of this post. I’m always adding veggies to my meals, much prefer them to fruit xxx
I like to add fresh veggies to my meals. For example, I always add mushrooms to my curries, at least. I do try to stick to the 5 a day, even if sometimes it is a bit difficult, depending on how busy the day is.
I have started incorporating smoothies to our daily breakfast. I love to combine banana with other different fruits and veggies.
I love this post as I’m vegetarian and everyone always assumes I eat loads of vegetables. I do like them but I’m always looking out for new imaginative meals, or ways to add them in to dishes.
I think soup is an amazing way to add veggies – my dad hates vegetables but loves soup!!
I love vegetables! I can’t be a vegetarian full time but in the spring I like to eat vegetarian for a month or two to prepare for the season change. I did like that roasted peppers & melted cheese sandwich. I’ll give that a go. Great idea to prepare them early. I’m already in that habit of preparing food a few days prior so I’ll make sure to roast peppers on a regular basis to have them on standby. 🙂
Great advice on eating increasing fruit and veg intake!
Some great ideas. My fruit & veg intake is quite good but need to get my grandson to eat more fruit.
I tend to eat more fruit than veg these day. Smoothies are my number one choice for sure x
An excellent post ith some really useful tips. I am a vegetarian and I make lots of doup with seasonal veggies .
I have to admit that I eat a lot of vegetables but its getting them into the kids I struggle with, even if I hide them
I think that posts like these are so important. I find it very easy to get my 5-a-day because I’m in the habit, but I know lots of people struggle. As Anca says, it’s so easy to throw a few extra veggies on a pizza or have peas as a side. I always tell my boyfriend off when he doesn’t at least microwave some frozen veg to go with his dinner.
Great ideas Anca! I love eating veggies just wish I could persuade my daddy to eat more! Might sneak some into meals for him x
oh I sure need to use some of these ideas as I know I hardly eat any veggies and really should be, I often hide them in the kids food so maybe I need to be doing the same for myself
I’m a bit up and down with my veg intake. Just had a lovely salad today though which is good but I do need to make it happen much more often.
I always make sure to finely chop veggies and add them into as many things as I can especially pasta sauces and burgers x
I need to incorporate more veggies into my diet, fruit I can eat all day long if I could x
I can def incorporate more veggies into my diet. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for hosting my post. xx
Your welcome, thank you so much for writing it for me!
I have 100000% ZERO PROBLEM with adding veggies to my life!
I really need to try to eat more fruit and veg, I’m awful for it!!