A common misconception about getting more plant based foods in your diet is that you have to approach it with an all or nothing attitude. I see this often in diet culture: animal based, plant based, vegan, paleo, keto and on and on and on. 

We’ve so narrowly defined different ways of eating that when people think about incorporating more plants into their diet they assume they have to stick to plants alone and there’s not room for anything else.

I’m a big proponent of incorporating as much variety of whole, fresh foods as possible. One of my core nutrition principles is eating seasonally, which has encouraged me to eat fruits and veggies that I wouldn’t otherwise reach for. I think I’m in the minority here though, since we know that Americans are vastly under consuming plant-based foods.

Here are some interesting statistics provided by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is co-developed by the USDA and the US Department of Health and Human Services:

• 90% of Americans are not meeting the recommendations for vegetables (2.5 cups/day)
• 45% of all vegetables are consumed as a separate food item

Here’s where I differ, incorporating more plants into your diet doesn’t mean it’s the only thing you can consume. My meals almost always include a source of animal protein because it’s easy to source and can be incredibly nutrient dense.

If you want to learn about how I source high-quality, nutrient dense protein you can catch up on the blog post I wrote earlier this year!

My Secret to Eating More Vegetables

If you don’t already know this, my Meal Plan Membership is actually modeled after the way I cook and eat. Over the years, I’ve developed a formula that I tend to stick to so that I know all of my nutritional needs are being met. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a boring vegetable side dish (looking at you steamed broccoli). I find it totally uninspiring and sometimes unappetizing, and I’ve noticed that I’m always less likely to reach for the veggies if served separately. Since we know that the majority of veggies are served as a side dish and vegetables are under-consumed, it’s safe to say that those steamed veggies aren’t calling your name either.

My solution is to figure out the best ways to incorporate lots of vegetables into the main dish. In fact, it’s become a bit of a fun challenge for me to see how many ways I can sneak vegetables into a recipe. Here are some great examples of how I put this into practice:

• Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Italian Pasta Salad
• Pesto Shrimp with Pesto Corn & Zucchini Spaghetti
• Spinach & Artichoke Turkey Burgers

And, if you’re someone who doesn’t mind a side dish of vegetables instead of having them play a part in the main course try mixing up how you serve them to keep things interesting. Roasted, steamed, sauteed, pickled (if you’re feeling brave). Don’t forget to add the vegetables to your plate first, so that your meals are macro-balanced and sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

Feeling overwhelmed with how to start eating more vegetables? My Meal Plan Membership doesn't open again until the fall but in the meantime, grab a sample meal plan (for free!) so you can try some of my favorites!