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How to Start Eating Vegetables Without Stress
Begin with small things and think big.
If you didn’t like vegetables as a kid, don’t make yourself eat a whole plate of spinach right away. Start with something mild, like grated carrots in your rice or a few peas in your pasta. These small changes don’t overwhelm your taste buds; instead, they slowly add variety and nutrients.
Put Them in Foods You Already Like
This trick works like magic. Add a handful of spinach to your fruit smoothie. You won’t taste it, but your body will thank you. You can add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms to your omelette. Cutlets can be made with grated zucchini or beetroot. You can even add cauliflower to mashed potatoes without anyone knowing. There are a lot of Indian-style recipes on sites like Tarla Dalal and Hebbars Kitchen that are full of vegetables but don’t shout “vegetable.”
Change the Way You Cook Vegetables
Not everyone likes steamed broccoli. But garlic-roasted broccoli with a little cheese? That feels different. Try air-frying, grilling, sautéing with spices, or roasting in the oven with olive oil. If you want your veggies to taste better, use NutriCook Air Fryers or Prestige OTG ovens to make them crispy.
Add Spices and Sauces
Vegetables can be boring on their own, but your kitchen is magical. You can make boring vegetables taste better by adding a little cumin, black pepper, garlic paste, or even soy sauce. You can add peri-peri, mustard, or even mayo to make it easier to eat. Don’t feel bad; seasoning is a great first step.
Start with Mixed Dishes
Curries, gravies, stir-fries, soups, and dals are the best things to put them in. A spicy sambar with bottle gourd, carrots, and beans or a tomato curry with diced vegetables can help you enjoy the flavors without worrying about the textures you don’t like. Try ready-made mixes like MTR Sambar Mix and add your own twist by adding more vegetables.
Think About Crunch
The problem isn’t always the taste; sometimes it’s the mushy texture. Stir-fried veggies that are crunchy or cucumber slices with a little chaat masala can feel more like snacks than chores. You can even cut up raw vegetables and dip them in yogurt-based dips, hummus, or peanut butter for extra fun.
Add Veggies as Extras
Don’t make vegetables the main dish; use them as toppings instead. Put corn and tomato salsa on your toast, avocado on your paratha, or mushrooms and onions on your pizza. You’re not “eating a salad.” You’re making your favorite food taste better and adding more nutrients to it.
Add Juices and Smoothies to the Deal
If you don’t want to chew on vegetables, drink them. A cold juice made from cucumbers and mint or carrots and oranges might be easier to drink. You can make fresh blends at home with NutriBlenders or Philips juicers.
Plan, Get Ready, and Do It Again
People sometimes don’t like vegetables because they have to work hard. It can feel like a lot of work to cut, peel, and boil. Pick one day a week to wash and chop. Put them in containers that won’t let air in so they’re ready to use. BigBasket and Zepto are two platforms that even sell pre-cut fresh vegetables for days when you don’t have time to cook.
Our taste buds change over time. You might be surprised by what you hated as a kid. Try different kinds of vegetables over time. Roasting can turn bitter foods into sweet ones, like brinjal or lauki. Don’t give up on a vegetable right away.
FAQs
What if I throw up when I eat vegetables?
Begin with liquids like smoothies or soup. Take it easy. Your taste buds will slowly get used to it.
How can I get over the trauma I had as a child from vegetables?
Try making them yourself in new and different ways. The experience changes when you change how you cook.
Do frozen vegetables work too?
Yes, frozen foods like beans, corn, and spinach keep most of their nutrients. They are great for people who are just starting out and you can get them on Amazon Fresh.
Is it okay to add cheese or sauce to vegetables just to make them taste better?
Of course. At first, you might find it easier to enjoy the taste of vegetables if you pair them with cheese, sauces, or dips. As your taste buds get used to the new flavors, you can slowly cut back on these extras. The goal is to make eating vegetables a regular part of your life, even if you need a little extra flavor help to get started.
Disclaimer
This article is only meant to give you information. If you want to change your diet because of allergies or other health issues, please talk to a qualified nutritionist or healthcare provider first.
