vegetables

jenn.daniel · October 2010

I'm a really picky eater, and I hate almost all vegetables. I try different things, but the only veggies I like are corn, potatoes (red, sweet, any kind), and pumpkin. I love zucchini bread and carrot cake, but I don't think there's enough vegetable in there to count.

My grandma has told me for years to put plenty of butter on, and they'll taste great, but I don't really like butter either. I also don't like the dips people use for raw veggies. I love cheese, but I can never get enough cheese to cover up the taste of broccoli!

Any suggestions for recipes where you can't taste the veggies? I enjoyed a salad ONCE at a Thai restaurant b/c the dressing had a strong enough flavor (I don't usually like salad dressing either). I'm ok with spicy. I'm also open to ideas for what might go well in a smoothie. I drink V8 fusion to get some veggies, but it has a lot of sugar.

Thanks for your help!

LittleKatie13 · October 2010

What do you put pumpkin in? If you like pumpkin, I'd suggest eating squash-acorn, butternut, pattypan, you name it. Also, I don't personally count either corn or potatoes as vegetables, but rather starches. What about green beans, peas, carrots? Do you like quiche with veggies in it? Or stew? Maybe if you get your veggies IN something that's still nutritious it might work. Otherwise, I think you need to bite the bullet and eat a new veggie every week until you are actually getting your 5 a day.

jenn.daniel · October 2010

pumpkin pudding, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ON muffins. I'm thinking about putting it in pancakes too, instead of banana or berries. Pumpkin is my favorite squash, but I'll have to try pattypan - that's a new one for me.

I don't like green beans, peas, or carrots, though I will eat carrots in soup, now that I think about it. I'd forgotten since I don't eat soup in summer. I'll eat carrots, celery, and even articoke in soup, but it's probably not as much veggie as I SHOULD have. Maybe increase the amount of veggies in soup? I'll have to look at my cookbooks. Now that it's getting cooler that may be my best option.

FI doesn't consider corn or potatoes veggies either. What is the line between a vegetable and a starch? Is it just because you can digest the starch whereas you can't digest the cellose in lettuce or spinach? This has always confused me.

crnota · October 2010

I would say potatoes and corn are definitely starches, not vegetables (in terms of getting in your vegetables...I know technically they are). One reason is that they just don;t have the vitamins and nutrients that vegetables do. Sweet potatoes are better, though, since they do. For example, when I make a chicken dish with a baked potato, that does not count as my vegetable...I always have green beans or something, too. And you'll notice that restaurants are the same way- when potatoes come with an entree, there is always another vegetable (unless its fries....they don't usually go with anything healthy!).

I once heard that you should eat from every color in the rainbow every day, and while that might not be possible, it's a good way of thinking about things. If your whole plate is white you are not getting what you need (ex: chicken, mashed potatoes, corn....all white). You need leafy greens, green veggies like brocc, asparagus, green beans, orange things like butternut squash, yams, purple like eggplants, red like red peppers or tomatoes, etc.

I would suggest trying out all different kinds of new vegetables. I find it hard when people say they don't like ANY veggies, because they taste totally different! I can totally see not liking certain kinds (I hate brussel sprouts!), but zucchini tastes very different from mushrooms, which taste very different from carrots. You just have to keep an open mind and know that you NEED to get them in!

LittleKatie13 · October 2010

I don't count corn or potatoes as veggies because they are just filler-not a lot of fiber, nutrients, etc. I think you're partially going to have to just suck it up and start eating more veggies until you just get used to it. But maybe start with stews and soups with LOTS of veggies. Or make a pot roast in the crock pot with carrots and potatoes. I count sweet potatoes as more of a vegetable than regular potatoes, because they're so good for you-so opt for those instead of white potatoes. Do you like Shepherd's pie? You can stick a lot of veggies (peas, carrots, onions, tomatoes, beans, etc) in that with the meat and potatoes. Also, I know this sounds crazy but if you eat fewer sweets, veggies will taste better. When you eat a lot of sugary stuff, you learn to only want sweet stuff and everything that isn't sugary or salty doesn't taste good anymore. Good luck!

jenn.daniel · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_vegetables-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:b9e0ac0a-3082-4552-8062-21118145cda4Post:16c5464d-d89b-4fa1-8659-849695ecde44">Re: vegetables</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't count corn or potatoes as veggies because they are just filler-not a lot of fiber, nutrients, etc. I think you're partially going to have to just suck it up and start eating more veggies until you just get used to it. But maybe start with stews and soups with LOTS of veggies. Or make a pot roast in the crock pot with carrots and potatoes. I count sweet potatoes as more of a vegetable than regular potatoes, because they're so good for you-so opt for those instead of white potatoes. Do you like Shepherd's pie? You can stick a lot of veggies (peas, carrots, onions, tomatoes, beans, etc) in that with the meat and potatoes. <strong>Also, I know this sounds crazy but if you eat fewer sweets, veggies will taste better. When you eat a lot of sugary stuff, you learn to only want sweet stuff and everything that isn't sugary or salty doesn't taste good anymore.</strong> Good luck!
Posted by LittleKatie13[/QUOTE]

I definitely see what you're getting at here. I have a major sweet tooth! I've been cutting back, but it's still a work in progress. Since I can't exactly use sugar to make vegetables taste good to me, I think minced garlic might help. I generally love garlic-y foods, so maybe that will help.

I'm not a fan of Sheperd's pie b/c of the veggies and meat (I've been working recently on increasing my protein though). I think I'll try mixing peas and carrots with my corn and gradually increase the peas/carrots while decreasing corn. That seemed to work for switching from white rice to brown rice.

jonchrissy · October 2010

I just started adding pumpkin puree into my vanilla chobani and it's AMAZING! If you like pumpkin that could be a great way to add veggies. Could you add spinach to lasagna?

Also, you could try the cookbook, Deceptively Delicious. It's the cookbooks Jerry Seinfields wife wrote to help kids eat more veggies.

jenn.daniel · October 2010

I'll look for the Deseptively Delicious cookbook. I've tried looking online, but a lot of those focus on making the food "fun". Cutting my veggies into fun shapes doesn't help me.

I would do stir fry, but I have a tendency to burn it. I can grill, bake, and boil, but once I put something in a frying pan, things go downhill. Soy sauce is a good idea though. I usually mix it with peanut sauce. I guess I could just mix it all in with rice and chicken. Stir-fry without the oil!

LittleKatie13 · October 2010

I'd also suggest a cooking class if you can find one through a local rec department or restaurant or tech school. Try to find one that has to do with healthy cooking. Maybe it would give you more ideas and skills to cook healthy foods. It would be a great thing to do with your FI if he has any interest. (Mine definitely does not, but some of my girl friends like to cook and take classes)

crnota · October 2010

I agree with the PP who said to make sure your veggies are not overcooked. I know people who won't eat broccoli or asparagus because all they tried when they were little were canned broccoli at the school cafeteria (UGH- yellow mush) or boiled, overcooked asparagus. It's no wonder those things would turn someone off to veggies.

I think sauteing or roasting veggies makes them taste delicious. One thing I like is to cut up potatoes and cut up asparagus, toss them both with olive oil and salt and pepper, and roast in a baking sheet. A really good 1 pan side dish that has both a starch and veggie.

Also roasted broccoli, red pepper, zucchini, eggplant, carrots...really anything tastes better with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and maybe garlic. MUCH better than boiled or from a can or something. I like to saute tiny green beans (haricot verts) in a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and add toasted almonds. Just cook them enough that the green beans are bright green and cooked through, but not mushy.

And another idea would be lasagna. Of course lasagna has a lot of calories due to all the cheese and pasta, but you can really hide veggies in there. You can google tons of veggie lasagna recipes, and when covered in cheese and noodles, you can barely notice the veggies.

Also chicken fajitas- saute red and green bell pepper and onions until they start to brown and caramelize. They are really sweet that way. Wrapped up in a tortilla with chicken, salsa, a little cheese, you will hardly notice them!

jenn.daniel · October 2010

You're all probably right about making sure the veggies aren't overcooked. The last time I was at FIL's they had peas. I try to be polite and clean my plate, but those peas were worse than usual! (FMIL is known for overcooking things.) Maybe if I try peas now they'll seem good in comparison.

I'll try roasting veggies with olive oil and garlic. I hadn't thought of that. We do go to cooking classes sometimes, and FI wants to try grilling vegetables. I'll try citrus too. I little lemon adds a kick to anything!

veritas, thanks for pointing out that most people don't really like veggies but eat them anyway. I think I've been trying to hard to find something I like instead of going for something I can tolerate. I think a change in mindset will do wonders. We're going out tonight, so I'm going to eat about a cup of the lettuce that comes with the shrimp appetizer. I'll keep telling myself it will fill me up so I'll eat less of my fish and have more leftovers.

jonchrissy · October 2010

Also, I hate hate hate peas, carrots and green beans, but LOVE almost all other veggies. When I was a toddler I ate red bell peppers like an apple.

So, just try them and in different cooking styles. What's the worst that can happen?

wihltsabow · October 2010

My friend hides veggies for her kids in things you would never think of. Every time she makes brownies, she puts pureed peas in the mix. Can't even tell they're there, but the kids are still getting the nutrients. I know they have a lot of recipes like that generally for kids, but whatever. Don't forget your fruit too!!

jenn.daniel · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_vegetables-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:238Discussion:b9e0ac0a-3082-4552-8062-21118145cda4Post:009f7fed-036a-4b74-859a-9287b492cff4">Re: vegetables</a>:
[QUOTE]My friend hides veggies for her kids in things you would never think of. Every time she makes brownies, she puts pureed peas in the mix. Can't even tell they're there, but the kids are still getting the nutrients. I know they have a lot of recipes like that generally for kids, but whatever. Don't forget your fruit too!! :)
Posted by wihltsabow[/QUOTE]

I am so going to do this! I know it wouldn't be a full sercing, but every little bit helps. I use applesauce instead of oil too. Not that applesauce is really that good for you, but it's better than oil.

rachelea · October 2010

I'm in agreement, potatoes and corn are starches...corn could pass for a vegetable, but I just don't count potatoes or any kind. Wish I did, I love potatoes of any kind.

There are some marinara sauces out there now that have veggies in them. One of my favorite things is Garden Delights pasta by Ronzoni, it has a full serving of veggies in a serving of pasta. Get that, some of the veggie sauce, you'll get two servings of veggies and you're eating spaghetti.

As far as pumpkin...I love love LOVE pumpkin. I don't think, though, that if you're putting it in pancakes, muffins, and breads you'll be getting nearly the nutritional value out of it for it to count as veggies. Which is unfortuante because I love pumpkin so much and made a batch of muffins and was eating them for breakfast...however there are SO MANY RECIPES that have pumpkin in them that could count. I make a curried pumpkin soup (http://online-cookbook.com/goto/cook/rpage/000278) that is absolutely amazing. i've seen recipes for other pumpkin soups without the spice, I've seen Mexican Pumpkin Lasagna, pumpkin salads...there is SO MUCH.

Check out this recipe for fall recipes (many with pumpkin) and they are great. I've made several things from this. http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Halloween-Recipes

rachelea · October 2010

Also, one of FI's and my favorites is grilled veggies. We cut up yellow squash, zucchini, bell peppers (any and all colors! red yellow and orange are sweet!), red onions, sometimes mushrooms (for him, I do NOT like them!), add a tablespoon or 2 of olive oil, and sprinkle them with Laurey's Seasoned Salt. He grills them next to the protein and they are absolutely incredible.

And for those who mentioned stir-fry, there is an amazing article in an old Food Network magazine (http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/252540/stir-fry-variations/) for stir fry, you can do it however you want and its awesome. FI bought a huge Calphalon fry pan simply because he wanted me to make stir fry more often after the first time I made it from this recipe (I did chicken, broccoli and edamame, and brown sauce) and then I made another one doing fruit (the article only includes veggies) with shrimp, pineapple, mango, bell pepper, and oyster sauce.

vegetables

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