Hey, non-veggie lovers, I’m talking to YOU. Honestly, I’m right there with you. I’m a basic veggie eater—not far beyond the “pinch my nose and shove it down my throat” phase. Honestly, though, veggies don’t have to be disgusting—and that’s something I’m learning as I try new recipes and broaden my palate.

So, if you’re looking to replace some of your carbohydrate intake with veggies, I’m here for you! I think the big thing is to take it SLOWLY. If you eat only one serving per day (or maybe even less), you need to baby step into this process. No one expects you to suddenly be eating 4 servings of lush vegetables. That’s both crazy and absolutely unreasonable. So, throw that thought out the window if that’s what’s holding you back.

Tip #1: Try a smoothie and pack it with vegetables.
I drink a protein smoothie every single day, giving myself 1-2 servings of veggies first thing in the morning. My go-to veggies for smoothies are spinach and cucumber.

What I absolutely love about cucumber is it adds a “fresh/cool” flavor. It cleanses the palate a bit and softens the flavor. There have been times I’ve purchased new protein flavors to sample, and unfortunately haven’t enjoyed them. Rather than waste my money and throw out the protein, I add a few slices of cucumbers and the flavor is completely transformed.

So, give it a try:

• Your favorite protein powder (vanilla or chocolate are great options, but if you need help selecting a product, let me know!)
• 8oz of unsweetened almond milk/coconut milk, or low-fat milk
• ½ banana (I freeze mine rather than using ice to chill the smoothie)
• 1 cup of spinach (or, maybe start with ½ a cup—remember, let’s ease into this journey)
• A few slices of cucumber
• A dash of cinnamon (another trick to add flavor minus the calories)
• A few cubes of ice
• Blend, blend, blend!!

Tip #2: Try one vegetable at a time.
Don’t go to the store and stock up on 5 different vegetables—it’s a lot of money, and you’re likely going to end up throwing those vegetables out (because you’re new to this journey, they will go bad before you use them). Master the smoothie recipe and keep that as a DAILY routine. At least you now have one solid serving of nutrient-packed veggies in your life. Huge victory, right?

Next, find some recipes that are veggie packed, but a bit disguised. I’ve recently shared two amazing recipes—one with cauliflower and the other with spaghetti squash. These are two of my favorites. Both are packed with 1-2 servings of fiber-rich vegetables, and do not skimp on deliciousness. As you expand your palate and determine which vegetables you DO love, try new recipes that include those veggies. And definitely keep note of those you don’t enjoy. Avoid those for now.

Tip #3: Recycle your favorite recipes.
Eating healthy doesn’t need to break the bank, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Recycle your favorite recipes. If you have your smoothie and 2-3 veggie recipes you absolutely love, golden! That’s it! You don’t have to constantly be reinventing the wheel or coming up with the most creative dish. If you love it, that’s your answer. I have a handful of go-to recipes that I can make quickly and enjoy. I love them so much, and I know I can stick to the plan.

That said, I do try to bring in new ideas to keep it fresh. I’ll try maybe one or two new recipes per week because I’m on a mission to share, inspire, and help others. If you only try 1-2 new recipes per month, you’re on track to start building a great list of favorite dishes that excite you, fuel you, and make you feel great.

Reach out if you could use some encouragement and guidance. I know we can get you moving along this wellness journey. And, the fact you’re even thinking about it is a HUGE win. Let me know if I can help you take that first step.