05/04/2023
SUB-stitute with Veggies
Springtime is here which means local farmers are gettin’ down in the dirt in the fields ready for those fruits and veggies to explode into the stands soon. We’ve all heard why we need to include more plants in our diets, but sometimes it’s the how, not the why that gets us. Here’s some tips on how to include more plant variety in your diet:
CHOOSE A NEW WEEKLY FRUIT OR VEG - whether you haven’t gotten your hands on it in a while or you’ve never tried it, try and include one new plant per week in your diet.
ADD HERBS TO YOUR MEALS - simply throwing some dill on a potato salad or cilantro on top of your tacos can not only add bursts of flavor and texture, but it’s also a fabulous way to incorporate more plants into the meal.
PLAN THE MEAL AROUND THE PLANT - most of us are used to planning our meals around the meat, but try planning your meal around the plant! Search the plant’s name and recipes into google and choose a fun recipe to try!
SWAP AND SHOP - swap out some of your usual animal-based products for some plant-based alternatives. Try coconut yogurt instead of cow’s milk or using yogurt on top of your tacos instead of sour cream. Choose a plant-based creamer like cashew cream instead of regular cream. BUT REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR LABELS! Just because it is labeled plant-based or organic does not mean it’s not packed with unnecessary ingredients.
MAKE SMOOTHIES - smoothies pack a lot of bang into one meal and are a great way to incorporate more plants! Pro tip- try blending frozen cauliflower into your smoothie instead of ice!
MAKE MORE SOUPS - another fabulous way to include tons of plants into one meal!
GREENS ON HAND - keep greens on hand to throw on top of a sandwich or burger, or make a salad. Greens are an amazing way to pack in more plants without more calories!
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX - include veggies in recipes that usually call for meat; pizza, lasagna, tacos, stir fry dishes, and pasta.
LENTILS - most people think of lentils and think of some boring lentil soup they were forced to eat as a child. NO WAY! Lentils are a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor, not to mention an excellent source of plant-based protein. Try substituting meat in one of the above recipe ideas with lentils!