Great Source Of Fiber
There is the fiber factor in eating vegetables; because of the high levels of fiber, the digestive system remains healthier and more toned. Just like your body’s muscles, the digestive system needs to remain sleek and able to process food properly. When you eat more fiber, the insides of your digestive system remains clear and healthy, allowing you to avoid issues with constipation, not to mention colon cancers and polyps.

Great Source Of Protein
If you want to avoid animal products, you have to make sure that you are eating vegetables in order to get the protein that you’re otherwise lacking. By combining vegetables in your meals, you will be able to consume the essential amino acids that your body needs to survive- and thrive! A simple meal of spinach, beans, and whole grain rice is a great way to treat your body right, whether or not you are avoiding animal products.

Great Source Of Water
Vegetables also contain high levels of water in their structures, which allows them to be generally fat free and low in calories. This is a great asset for those that are watching their calories and want to lose weight. Combined with the fiber, eating vegetables also tends to make a person feel fuller for longer, and curbs the tendency for unnecessary snacking.

Vegetables Are An Easy Addition To Your Diet
Eating vegetables is quite simple for anyone to add to their diets. Not only can you find small baby carrots, but some companies have gone so far as to create snack packs of vegetables that you can bring with you anywhere. Salad mixes are also on grocery store shelves, making it easy to eat your greens any night of the week. You can find vegetable juices and smoothies, too, for an additional option.

No one says that eating vegetables needs to be boring. Try vegetable-based soups, broths, and even vegetable-based protein products for variety and flavor. You can also find vegetable breads and pastas in many stores. Don’t forget about spaghetti sauces and marinara for additional tomatoes and other ingredients! Maybe with these tips, you’ll be able to obey your mom – for once. Hope this helps you add some quality nutrients to your diet!

1. Plan Ahead for Success

The process starts even before you head to the grocery store. Plan your meals for the week, and create a list to shop from; it will take a few minutes, but will also save time in running back to the store for missing ingredients.

2. Don’t Shop Hungry

An empty belly results in impulse purchases that may not be the healthiest. Eat a meal before you head to the store; you will be significantly less likely to make impulse food purchases once there!

3. Be A Well-Rounded Shopper

Fill your cart with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, lean meat, fish, poultry, beans, and nuts. Be adventurous; aim to try a new fruit or vegetable each week. Organic items, while a little more expensive, are great choices to make at the grocery store!

4. Supermarket Item Checklist

• Produce. Spend most time in the produce section, the first area you encounter in most grocery stores. Choose a rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables. The colors reflect different vitamin, mineral, and phytonutrient content of each fruit or vegetable. Eat green!
• Breads, Cereals, and Pasta. Choose the least processed foods made from whole grains. For example, regular oatmeal is preferable to instant oatmeal. When choosing whole-grain cereals, aim for at least 4 grams of fiber per serving, and the less sugar, the better. Avoid granolas, even the low-fat variety; they will have more fat and sugar than other cereals.
• Meat, Fish, and Poultry. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week. Additionally, choose lean cuts of meat (like round, top sirloin, and tenderloin), opt for skinless poultry, and watch your portion sizes.
• Dairy. Dairy is an excellent source of bone-building calcium and Vitamin D. There are plenty of low-fat and non-fat options to help you get three servings a day, including yogurts and pre-portioned cheeses. If you enjoy higher-fat cheeses, keep your portions small.
• Frozen Foods. Frozen fruits and vegetables are a convenient way to help fill the produce gap. Favorites include whole-grain waffles for snacks or meals, 100% juices for marinades and beverages, and plain cheese pizza with extra skim mozzarella cheese and a variety of veggies.
• Canned and Dried Foods. Keep a variety of canned vegetables, fruits, and beans on hand to toss into soups, salads, pasta, or rice dishes. Whenever possible, choose vegetables without added salt. Tuna packed in water, low-fat soups, nut butters, olive and canola oils, and assorted vinegars should be in every healthy pantry.

5. General Rules To Follow

• Shop the perimeter of the store, where fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and fish are usually located. Avoid center aisles where junk foods are kept.
• Choose “real” foods – 100% fruit juice or 100% whole-grain items with as little processing and few additives as possible. If you want salt or sugar, add it yourself.
• Stay clear of foods with cartoons on the label that are targeted to children. If you don’t want your kids eating junk foods, don’t have them in the house.
• Avoiding foods that contain more than five ingredients, artificial ingredients, or ingredients you can not pronounce; these are signs of poor, over-processed nutrition choices.