Add more vegetables to your diet

Here are some easy ways to incorporate more vegetables into your diet:

Add grated raw vegetables to batters and doughs for quick breads, muffins and cookies.

Choose a wide variety of salad greens, including arugula, chicory, collard, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach and watercress.

Look for pasta made with vegetables, such as spinach or beets. Stir-fry vegetables with tofu or just a small portion of poultry, seafood or meat.

Order a vegetarian pizza instead of a meat-based pizza.

Use vegetables as a base for or as added ingredients in soups.

Enrich or thicken soups and sauces with cooked and pureed vegetables in place of cream or whole milk.

Add grated raw carrot to lean ground beef or turkey when making meatloaf or meatballs.

Add chopped vegetables to your spaghetti sauce.

Enjoy vegetables as snacks by keeping them ready to eat in the refrigerator.

Many different kinds of vegetables fill the produce section of your grocery store, so don't limit yourself to familiar favorites. Try some unusual vegetables, such as jicama, kohlrabi, okra or watercress. You may discover new favorites that add both interest and health benefits to your diet.