(8/2019) Fresh vegetables are coming into season soon, and much more will follow in the next few months. Maybe you have already had that first, fresh tomato from your garden or local farmers market. Fresh vegetables are low calorie, high nutrient, readily available and best of all, great tasting foods that will help with the healthy eating style you are looking for.

Many people think they don’t like squash or eggplant or many greens but there are some great recipes out there that contain vegetables that are beneficial for you and you don’t even know they are in there because when mixed with other things you can’t taste them. This is a great way to get kids and even adults to eat their veggies without them knowing or complaining about them. I know it may be hiding things from them but it also may be the only way to get them to eat the healthy foods they need. Maybe once they find out what they have been eating and realize that they liked it, they may start eating some of the foods they thought they didn’t like. Check out some of the recipes on the internet or talk with others about the foods your family won’t eat and you may be surprised how many ideas people have come up with.

Usually people like fruit and it is easier to get your family to eat fruit than it is to get them to eat vegetables. Fruit is a nutritious food but it is also high in sugar content. Cleansing your pallet of processed sugar may surprise you in many ways. Once you eat the things you were use to eating they may seem too sweet now. Changing your taste buds can improve your health by lowering your blood sugar and inflammation in your body. Sugar is a root cause of many health issues. Many people are pleasantly surprised how much better they feel by not consuming sugar. I know it is hard to give up all sugar but try to avoid processed sugar or adding sugar to your food. There are many natural sweeteners, like adding fruit to recipes, that will satisfy your sweet tooth if you cleanse your taste buds.

I hope this article with inspire you to check out the veggie isle the next time you go to the grocery store or to stop by the local roadside stand and stock up on the fresh vegetables now available. Eating vegetables is an important part of a healthy diet any time of the year and an important part of a plan to lose weight.

Fresh vegetables are the best for low calories but when they are not available or not convenient for you, frozen are also packed with nutrients and can be stored longer than fresh. Foods that come in cans usually contain higher salt and sugar to help preserve them. Always check the amount especially if you have high blood pressure or other problems with salt.

Some people have decided to can or freeze their own vegetables like their parents and grandparents did. This is more work but we enjoy the time spent together and know that these foods are healthier than canned. Take a few minutes and get your family involved in planning the next grocery list. This will make them feel a part of the planning process and hopefully they will be excited about the kinds of foods you get and want to try new foods or eat more of the fresh foods and less of the processed snacks they usually eat. Involving kids in meal planning teaches them healthy habits and makes them feel important and may just get them interested in planting a garden, cooking and even coming up with some recipes of their own. Meals are part of a healthy eating plan along with exercise so Keep Moving and call me at 717-334-6009 if you have any questions or have any ideas that I can share in future articles.

If you have any questions or need help getting started, please call me 717-334-6009, or via e-mail at fitness@emmitsburg.net