Weight-Loss Help! How do I get more vegetables in to my diet?

Weight-Loss
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Mguy

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Hey everyone.

Just a general question really. I'm trying to get back in shape and feel better, and I figured I should probably be eating more vegetables. Thing is, I don't know of any other than broccoli and carrot sticks.

And let me just say this: I don't know what it is, but broccoli just doesn't agree with me. Every time I eat it, I get horrible, gut-wrenching gas pains, so I typically steer clear of broccoli. Just doesn't agree with me.

Anyway, what I am really looking for are vegetables that I can eat raw and snack on. I'm sick of constantly only having junk food available, so I'd like a good list of a few vegetables if possible! And I do drink V8 Juice on occasion, it's just that all this sodium can't be good for me. Thanks!
 
For raw snacking -
Cherry tomato
celery - if you can stomach it ;) Not too bad with hummus
Bell peppers - I prefer yellow and red, and you can find some mini snack sized ones as well.
Cauliflower - if your stomach tolerates it at least.
Cucumbers - not bad on their own, perhaps with a bit of salt (I know, you're watching your sodium) or there's always pickles.
Okra - this is situational, I love raw okra, but it may be an acquired taste, and it might also be hard to find them raw. If you want to get frozen okra slices, you can try roasting them using the method mentioned for asparagus below.
Avocado - one of my favorite (although technically a fruit. as are tomato). I like them with a bit of salt, or you can mash them with some Greek yogurt. You can also use them in place of cheese in some cases, e.g. on a sandwich.

If you go so far as to cook your veggies -
Asparagus is good roasted - oven to 425F drizzle with olive oil, toss with salt and pepper, roast for 12-20 minutes depending on how crispy you like them.
I also like sweet potato, not raw though. Nuke for ~3 minutes, then wrap in foil and toss in 300F oven for half an hour or more. If you don't eat it, refrigerate, then pop back into oven to reheat.

That's off the top of my head, so hope that helps!
 
I used to almost never eat veggies, unless they were on burgers, but I've lately started a whole new regime. Here are some of the things that have really, really helped me.

Smoothies are a great way to get fruits in! In the morning, I always have a banana smoothie, with home squeezed Orange Juice, low fat organic yoghurt and a teaspoon of maple syrup. You can also add in berries. (I always inc. a scoop of protein :)~)

Tomatoes are great for you. I LOVE making veggie quesadillas. (or Chicken!) and adding a lot of tomatoes, onions, and other veggies I like. (Sometimes if I'm feeling crazy, I'll put in green beans ;D

Also, watch your portion size, I used to eat 3x bigger than what I should have been eating. :S
 
Great suggestions so far :)
Another thing to consider Mguy- try veggies combined with other things- ie: veggies and a low-fat dip, spinach on your sandwich or burger, sliced up tomatoes on sandwiches/burgers, etc. Vegetables don't have to be eaten plain and by themselves- and oh, soups are great too or added grilled veggies to pizza (mmm, I love sliced tomato, spinach and roasted eggplant) like red or green peppers.

Or check online too for recipes for cool salads. My husband and I love spinach salad with sliced up pears, walnuts, raisins, feta cheese and balsamic vinegrette.
 
What I do is snack on canned vegetables .. like peas with a bit of salt, or sweetcorn (sometimes).
Also I take a can of peeled tomatoes, and blend them. Put a bit of salt again and mm yummy !!
 
Abednos said:
What I do is snack on canned vegetables .. like peas with a bit of salt, or sweetcorn (sometimes).
Also I take a can of peeled tomatoes, and blend them. Put a bit of salt again and mm yummy !!
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While I"m glad to see you eating veggies, I'd like to suggest frozen or fresh veggies instead of canned. The canned veggies are sky high in sodium!
 
Korrie said:
While I"m glad to see you eating veggies, I'd like to suggest frozen or fresh veggies instead of canned. The canned veggies are sky high in sodium!
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Not necessarily. You just have to make sure to buy the kind in water, not any that have sugar, salt or anything else added. If you've got the choice, I'd still go for fresh though, fresh is always best!
 
You have to look for the low sodium or no added salt. Sometimes they're jumbled up on the shelves and it is easy to buy the wrong cans.

I really like fresh carrots, boiled. Broccoli soup is quite nice in small doses. Tomato soup too. Not the 'cream of XXX' just the regular vegetable kinds.
 
I love eating my veggies!! Once you start you'll realize you start to love them.

I eat a lot of Subs (I own a sub shop).. It's a really easy way to get your veggies. Wraps are also very good for that. You can fit a LOT of veggies in these and it'll be a nice meal as well with some protien.. Really helps me because I am not a fan of salads.

I put add lots of lettuce, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, pickles, and tomatoes. With a bit of mustard and 2-3 slices of lean turkey. Yum!

For snacking, I love baby carrots, cucumbers, green peppers, and celery. Sometimes with low cal (20/tbsp) cucumber dressing. But mostly just plain.

If you need some kind of dip to get used to veggies.. I suggest getting fat free sour cream and cup-a-soup beef packages (only 35 cals). Just mix the two together and it is a nice light dip at only 12-15 calories a tablespoon.


Something else I like to do is get a whole cucumber and cut it up into bite-sized pieces. Put it in a bowl of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water with salt and pepper. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour and eat! It's a VERY filling snack for only 30-40 calories.
 
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One of my biggest problems was that the veggies would rot eventually, and I'd be unmotivated to cook them.
Now I boil broccoli, green beans and cauliflower right away, freeze most of it, and leave a bit out for me to eat. That way I have it ready to eat right away, and more in the freezer ready to be served after a little microwaving. You can also sprinkle a bit of parmesan cheese on for flavor, and only adding just a few calories.
 
Monster said:
One of my biggest problems was that the veggies would rot eventually, and I'd be unmotivated to cook them.
Now I boil broccoli, green beans and cauliflower right away, freeze most of it, and leave a bit out for me to eat. That way I have it ready to eat right away, and more in the freezer ready to be served after a little microwaving. You can also sprinkle a bit of parmesan cheese on for flavor, and only adding just a few calories.
Click to expand...


You can also add a little Garlic Powder instead. Less calories but still very nice flavor.
 
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