Do you have excuses for not eating fruits and veggies?

We all have reasons for not eating fruits and vegetables. Most pretty valid I think. For me it is that they feel forced upon me, like a torture. Have you ever noticed that fruits and vegetables are never an "off limits" food, rather a "must eat" food. Right there that makes me not want them. I need to think about them differently because the fact is, when I eat them, I really like them. I just need to remind myself that I'm not conforming, rather eating "good!"

Tips and Tricks (thanks to this Sparkpeople link)


* Add fruit to your cereal, oatmeal, waffles or pancakes at breakfast.
* Create your own yogurt flavors with plain yogurt and different combinations of fresh fruit.
* Snack on raw vegetables or fruits instead of chips or pretzels. Keep sugar snap peas, raisins or carrot sticks in your car, your office or your backpack.
* Use chunky salsa instead of thick, creamy snack dips.
* Drink 100% juice instead of addictive coffee, tea, or soda.
* Going out to lunch? Take a trip to the grocery salad bar. Use lots of dark green leaves and other vegetables instead of piling on all of the extras like eggs, bacon and cheese.
* Add frozen veggies to any pasta dish. It's an easy way to get in another serving of the good stuff.
* Keep fruits and vegetables in line of sight. Grapes, oranges, bananas, and apples make a colorful bowl arrangement on the table. If you see them, you will eat them.
* Dried fruit is just as portable as potato chips -- and less messy. It tastes especially good when added to basic trail mix.
* When cooking vegetables, makes 2-3 times more than you need and immdiately store the extra away for tomorrow. It'll save you time later on.
* Add your own beans and vegetables (tomatoes, spinach, peppers, cabbage) to canned and quick-serve soups.
* If you must have pizza, load on extra veggies and pineapple instead of fatty meats and extra cheese.
* Try berries, melons or dates for a naturally sweet dessert rather than the usual candy bar, cookie, or ice cream sandwich.
* Frozen fruit and veggies are nearly as healthy as the fresh stuff, and only take minutes to prepare.
* Combine fruit with your main meal courses. Raisins, apples and tangerine slices add sweet, crunchy variety to a salad. Apples complement pork, pineapple is great with fish, and orange slices are perfect with chicken.