If you know anything about health and wellness, you know that you are supposed to be eating vegetables. But knowledge does not always lead to smart choices. Today, 70 percent of Americans don't meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture's daily fruit and vegetable recommendations. Are you one of them? Chances are, the reason you don't like to eat vegetables is simple, and the solution to overcoming your veggie phobia is even simpler.
Know The Vegetable Target
In case you aren't sure exactly how many vegetables you should be getting, all you need is a plate as your guide. About half of that plate should be veggies (or a combo of veggies and fruit) at most of your meals. Most people make the mistake of thinking "fruit or vegetables," and they overdo the fruit, but skimp on the veggies. Try to be mindful and reach for those veggies. Varying vegetables and fruits helps ensure you get an ideal balance of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Now that you know the target, give yourself a break. Don't try to be perfect. It's like playing a game of darts, I always tell my clients. Of course, you want to hit that "bull's-eye," but you also score points for hitting anywhere on the dart board. We all live in the real world. We run out of food. We order take-out. We get stuck eating dinner at the airport. We can do our best to strive for the target, but it doesn't always work out perfectly. Be OK with it. You will eat again in a few hours, and you will have another chance to hit the target.
