How To Eat More Vegetables

When I was young, my parents always told me to eat my vegetables. But of course, just like any other typical kid – I wouldn’t. I disliked them all – carrots, leafy greens, green beans, kangkung, cucumber – you name it – I didn’t eat it.

Why was I like that?

For no real valid reason I can remember. I just didn’t. And at times when I did… it was only because I was forced to. Whenever I ate outside with the family, and when the bill came at the end – I used to always think, “what a waste of money those vegetables were – when we could have ordered more meat and fried rice”!

Of course, things are very different now when I eat.

Nando’s quarter with Spinach and grilled veggies. My favourite combo.

 

Today, I cannot imagine having a meal WITHOUT vegetables. I frequent restaurants like Nando’s very often because they make veggies so available to you.

WHY EAT VEGGIES?

• They’re ‘alkaline producing’, helping to preserve bone mass and muscle
• They’re rich in fibre, phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals
• They contain plenty of water to help you stay hydrated
• In particular, leafy greens offer some of the best benefits (many plant antioxidants are stored in the leaves)

Due to the high water+fiber content, veggies are otften low in calories for their volume. This allows you to eat more food volume (feeling full with your food) while helping you control overall food intake. In other words, chances are high that if you don’t eat veggies, you’re gonna struggle to maintain your weight.

HOW TO GET MORE VEGGIES IN YOUR DIET

1. Choose restaurants that serve you REAL food
Such as Nando’s, economy rice stalls, most Malay restaurants – not processed ‘garbage’ that is bad for you. These places often have plenty of options.

2. Eat at home more often.
This one doesn’t need much explaining – right?

3. Buy frozen and store them in your freezer.
Steamfresh has convenient packs that you can chuck into the microwave for a minute and get freshly steamed veggies.

You can get these at most supermarkets – and don’t say it’s expensive, because your ice-blended designer coffee can often cost more. Just saying.

 

4. Supplement
Consider a powdered greens supplement to bump up your veggie intake on days you can’t get to eat enough.

HOW MUCH VEGGIES?

The more the merrier – I don’t know a single person who got fat by eating vegetables, so don’t worry.

For fat loss, I highly recommend PN’s version of the plate instead of the MyPlate.

CONCLUSION

Don’t be like me, someone who FINALLY realised that veggies are good for me at the age of 25. At least I had my parents to remind me consistently, and that helped.

What is even more frightening today are a new breed of parents and families that don’t eat vegetables themselves, or those that rely on outside food for all meals. If mom and dad aren’t going to remind the kids today about eating right… then no one will.

Good health, good eating, and fitness begins at home.

Leave me a comment below – I’d love to read your comments.

Noel