So, you know that vegetables are the key to a low-calorie, high-fiber, nutritious weight loss diet. Or perhaps you aren’t even trying to lose weight, but understand the benefits of fresh produce in helping you fight various diseases such as cancer. Maybe you just want to ward off premature wrinkling and aging.

Whatever your reason, you know that vegetables are important… But you just can’t stomach them. The good news is that you can still pursue your health goals, without torturing yourself with foods that you hate. Try these inventive methods to sneak a bit more veggies into your diet.

Try the same vegetable, cooked in different ways. Sometimes, it’s not so much the taste that people hate, but the texture of a vegetable that bothers them. Try them raw, steamed, roasted, boiled, and so on. Chopping them up into small pieces might even help.

Research! While you’re trying all of those different preparation methods, turn to good ol’ Google for some help. Search for recipes that sound intriguing to you, and try new seasonings and combinations of ingredients.

Also, be sure to research proper methods of buying and storing veggies. Many adults find that the vegetables they hated as a child taste much better when bought fresh from a farmer’s market, or stored at room temperature. Certain ones, like tomatoes, turn mushy and mealy when kept in the fridge.

Sneak them into other dishes. If you love smoothies, toss a little spinach or kale into the blender. You’ll be surprised at how the rich berries mask the flavor of greens. Add teeny tiny diced onions or bell peppers to spaghetti sauce, or broccoli to macaroni and cheese. Use your imagination, and remember to chop those veggies finely to best hide them in sauces and casseroles.

Spice it up. Many people learned to hate vegetables in early childhood, when dishes like boiled bland carrots were presented to them without so much as a sprinkling of salt. Forget all of those mealtime horrors of the past, and experiment with bold new flavors. Those carrots might taste completely different in a bold, spicy Thai curry (if you don’t boil them down to mush).

Try dips. Ranch dressing, hummus, or other creative dips can make turn any raw vegetable into a tasty treat. Of course, remember that dips tend to be heavy on calories, so take it easy if you’re trying to lose weight.

For more help with your weight loss diet, anti-aging regimen, or eating well to prevent chronic disease, give us a call. We can help you asses your nutritional needs and offer expert advice on your specific medical needs.