I've found a way to get my daily servings of fruits and veggies in and it's really helping with my weight too!
What I've been doing lately is at my meals, I've been eating my fruits and vegetables first. That way I'm not stuffed with the "first foods" of meat and bread, not leaving room for the fruits and vegetables I know I need. And because of that, I don't eat as much of the entrée.
Simplistic I know, but hey, I'm a simple kind of gal.
Here's a current sample of my daily menu:
- Breakfast: bowl of old fashioned oatmeal with rounded teaspoon each of honey and peanut butter, splash of whole milk. Black coffee, 1/2 cup fruit juice
- Lunch: First I eat a bowl of fruit (whatever is in season; today was sliced apple, strawberries, grapes, kiwi ~ see picture above), then I have my entrée (today it was leftover chicken pot pie), and 16 ounces of whole milk
- Supper: Tonight we're having chicken/dressing, and stir-fried zucchini/onions. (I'll eat the zucchini/onions first, then the chicken/dressing.
Who knows, I may even throw caution to the wind tonight and make a dessert! After seeing all the pumpkin specialty foods in the store today ~ coffee creamer, pumpkin flavored cream cheese, pumpkin bread mixes ~ and after reading the long list of ingredients in a few of them, I threw a can of pumpkin into my cart (only ingredient was pumpkin). Then I grabbed a half gallon of vanilla ice cream (didn't look at its ingredients:), for good measure. I don't know what I'll make but I bet I can find something yummy on Pinterest and I'll top it with ice cream, insuring its yumminess.
So if you count up my fruits/veggies for the day it comes to at least five, not counting the pumpkin dessert and vegetables in the chicken pot pie (which I made from scratch with fresh vegetables). I know that They've now upped the desired daily servings to 8-11, but I'm trying to be realistic. If I put 8-11 servings of fruits/vegetables into my short little body, I wouldn't have room left over for anything else and I have no intention of giving up meat, bread, whole milk, and an occasional sweet treat.
The great benefits that go along with getting these healthy servings in, other than weight loss, are that I'm having more energy and things are more regular if you know what I mean.
What about you? How many servings of fruits/veggies do you get a day?
Do you have a fun/creative way of getting them in? I'd love to hear!
Great idea, Sherry! I love grapefruit, so I eat more than one some days! Veggies are so fresh tasting, too. Your supper sounds good!
ReplyDeleteSherry, I've been making smoothies with fruits and veggies and they taste great! I put banana, blueberries, kale or spinach along with whatever else I have on hand. I'm getting more this way than I'd ever eat. I like Aldi, too! Twyla
ReplyDeleteI love fruit and eggies, so I have at least five a day. I started using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ a while back, it's a great way to keep track of my calorie intake and exercise; you state your goal, so it tells you whether you are over or under-eating. A bit tedious when you start, but as you add more foods, it gets much more simple. It really got me thinking about portion sizes, and nudged me in the direction of better choices :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great way to diet. I found I eat what I like but in smaller portions...it's worked too!
ReplyDeleteHope you can stop by my Party Rednesday Wednesday
We all need to find ways to get our weight under control. I make extra veggies for dinner and when I make my plate of meat, etc...I never go back for seconds...not matter how good it is! lol And now that apples are so crisp and good, I'm eating apple slices with every lunch. That keeps me out of the chips, too! You've shared some good tips! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of pumpkin flavored creamer at Aldi's, it was a big disappointment, ugh!
ReplyDeleteLove your lunch and yes, they have all kinds in season fruits.
I love fruit and veggies and eat more of them than anything else:)
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