There's a Vegetable for Everyone

“Genetics may be one factor in a dislike for vegetables, but people can train themselves to eat more produce if they are willing to make some lifestyle changes, said registered dietitian nutritionist Jill Patterson. She suggested people try various vegetables using different recipes and preparation methods, and then add the ones they like to their meal planning.”- HuffPost (8/13/19)

My immediate reaction to the first part of this quote is this- if you are genetically predisposed to any adverse health “condition”, do you give up and not fight to overcome the adversity? To give a specific example- if you are genetically prone to develop high cholesterol, would you just throw in the towel from the get-go and not try anything to keep your cholesterol levels within normal range? NO! You would (or so I would imagine) do everything in your power to keep your cholesterol levels as healthy as possible.

The same concept should be applied to a genetic predisposition for dislike of most vegetables. If you try a couple veggies and don’t like them, it is not time to give up! There are plenty of other types of vegetables, preparation methods, and seasoning/spice/sauce options that can be employed to make veggies more enjoyable. It is most helpful to identify core reasons why you do not enjoy particular vegetables. Don’t love the “gassy” smell produced by microwaved broccoli? Try roasting it. Find vegetables to be too plain? Try adding some black pepper and garlic (or other spices/seasonings you enjoy). Not a fan of veggies by themselves? Mix them into combined dishes such as casseroles, sauces (spaghetti sauce is so much tastier with the inclusion of sautéed mushrooms and onions!), and bowl-type meals (fajita bowls are a great example). 

Vegetables are vitally important for health. They are rich sources of a number of vitamins and minerals. Various colors of vegetables provided particular nutrients, so the saying “eat the rainbow” is not just an over-used cliché; it is actually of great importance! Vegetables are not giving up on you. So please, do not give up on them. 😊

Interested in more suggestions for how to successfully, and enjoyably, increase your vegetable intake? Head to the “Free Intro Call” link above to schedule your 1-on-1 session with Madz, today!