Fun Ways To Eat More Plants

There is such a wide variety of fruits and vegetables out there, yet I think most of us stick to our tried-and-true favorites. I’ve been trying to up my own intake for a variety of reasons, and I think I’ve found a fun way to get more plants into my diet. I bet it will work for you, too. 

Why I’m Trying to Eat More Plants

It’s been a busy week for me. My husband is out of town, and I always think I’ll have less to do when he’s not here, but that’s never the case. While there is one less person to feed, there is also one less person to help! If you manage your household on your own, I give you kudos - it’s a lot of work!

I’ve also got involved with cyclocross, and spent the weekend at a local event. It’s really fun (and hard!) but it’s helping me with my goal of being more motivated to ride my bike. It’s also been great reconnecting with old friends and making new ones surrounding our hobby. 

Between the two things, I was tired. I woke up tired on Monday and then felt like each day I was behind. For some reason, when I’m tired like that I focus on cooking! Maybe it’s my subconscious trying to help me out, because deep down I know that the food I eat affects my energy, focus, flexibility (weird, right?), mood, and everything else. 

It turns out that the same foods that help me move and feel better are also the same foods that  support brain health, gut health, and my son’s health challenges. These are foods like apples, avocado, berries, leafy greens, nuts and seeds, olive oil, cinnamon, and my focus this week:  cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and brussel sprouts). Cruciferous vegetables are especially good for moving toxins out of your body, which we all need!

How To Eat More Plants

Whether you already eat a lot of plants or not, it can be fun to get out of your usual rut. To start incorporating more into your diet, here are some fun ideas that can meet you where you’re at: 

1. Pick a fruit or vegetable you don’t normally eat and try it in a few recipes this week. 
2. Aim for a certain number of super-foods (like the ones above) each day, like one per meal. 
3. Count how many different plant foods you eat each day, aiming for a certain number for the week. 

If you can’t tell, I’m motivated by a challenge! I recently read a study that showed the single most predictive factor for a healthy gut microbiome was the number of different plant foods eaten each week. The magic number was thirty! So, my new habit is to count the plants I eat and see where I come out. 

It’s already been easier than I thought. For example, if you have oatmeal for breakfast topped with nuts, cinnamon, flax seeds, and fruit, you’ve got five plants right there. 

More Good Food = More Energy

When I eat well, I feel better inside and out. Sure, it may create more dishes, but at least I’ll have the energy for it! 

References:

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7750922
• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2964392
• www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/surprising-connection-between-diet-and-mobility
• https://microsetta.ucsd.edu/