You know that vegetables are good for you and full of nutrients. But sometimes eating enough of them can be hard.
The USDA recommends eating 2 1/2 to 3 cups of veggies a day, and to aim for some variety throughout the week (like dark green leafy veggies, colorful ones, beans and peas, and starchy vegetables). Obviously these are super general recommendations, so your unique needs might vary.
(FYI: A "cup" of veggies would be 1 cup raw or cooked vegetables, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens.)
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So here are a few delicious ways to trick yourself into eating vegetables all day long:
1. Swap buffalo chicken for buffalo cauliflower.
These buffalo cauliflower chicken tacos are so good you'll forget you're eating vegetables.
Get the recipe here.
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2. Throw some seaweed in your popcorn instead of salt.
Also, you'll seem fancy AF.
Get the recipe here.
3. Toss a cup of spinach in a smoothie that isn't even green.
Perfect for tricking yourself (or others) into getting those leafy greens.
Get the recipe here.
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4. Literally cover a pizza in vegetables.
And, OK, maybe more cheese than that if you're not convinced.
Get the recipe here.
5. Use butternut squash to make cheesy pasta extra creamy.
Just look at that.
Get the recipe here.
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6. Prep a bunch of these zucchini chips.
Then portion them out so you'll always have a bag of healthier chips to eat with lunch.
Get the recipe here.
7. Make buffalo chicken dip inside a spaghetti squash.
Spaghetti squash is not spaghetti and anyone who tries to convince you it is should be ashamed of themselves. That said, it is a delicious vessel for buffalo chicken dip.
Get the recipe here.
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8. Eat your eggs over a bed of delicious veggies.
This breakfast hash is made up of potatoes, spinach, black beans, red peppers, and onions. Top it with an egg and avocado and you're basically a brunch genius.
Get the recipe here.
9. Make this very simple stuffed artichoke as a side dish.
Way less boring than a pile of broccoli on your plate.
Get the recipe here.
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10. Swap pasta for sweet potato noodles.
It's basically like eating tiny fries covered in sauce.
Get the recipe here.
11. Or use zucchini noodles for a lighter substitute in alfredo sauce.
So good you won't even miss the carbs.
Get the recipe here.
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14. Dress up your mac and cheese with spinach and artichoke hearts.
Mac and cheese meets spinach and artichoke dip.
Get the recipe here.
15. Stuff a chicken breast with peppers and onions.
And, yes, cheese.
Get the recipe here.
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16. Combine bacon and shaved brussels sprouts and call it a salad.
Because any salad becomes instantly 20% better when bacon is involved.
Get the recipe here.
17. Eat lasagna out of adorable zucchini boats.
Food is always more fun when it's served in surprising vessels.
Get the recipe here.
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18. Or just make a noodle-less lasagna out of zucchini.
Who needs noodles when there's that much cheese?
Get the recipe here.
19. Buy a big bag of broccoli slaw to use in salads or side dishes.
You can throw this in your usual salad for extra crunch. Or dress it up with Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and some spices and eat it as a side dish.
Get this recipe here.
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20. Throw a bunch of veggies together and call it a burger.
This one is made with black beans, carrots, onions, and garlic — all topped with avocado.
Get the recipe here.
21. Bake a bunch of sweet potato fries for a side dish.
And top them in parmesan because why the hell not?
Get the recipe here.
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22. Or make tater tots out of broccoli and sweet potatoes.
Especially clutch for tricking children.
Get the recipe here.
23. Swap actual wraps for lettuce wraps.
The good stuff is what's inside anyway.
Get the recipe here.
24. Make your own Chinese green beans when you're craving takeout.
No MSG, no problem.
Get the recipe here.
25. Eat more carrot cake.
Because vegetables.
Get the recipe here.
