A serving of veggies a day keeps the doctor away.

Getting a full serving of vegetables in every day can be daunting. This is often especially true for men and women with diabetes, as calorie and carb-counting are methods of survival, and every meal seems like a challenge to truly make your food count. Vegetables are packed with nutrients, but are often difficult to fill up on, or just plain difficult to eat.

The Trouble With Vegetables Is…

Vegetables often carry with them extremely distinct flavors that are unique to that particular vegetable. Whether the taste is the soft sweetness of a carrot or the bitter astringency of kale, squeezing more vegetables into your daily diet can be quite a challenge. Fortunately, you don’t always have to have your dinner with a side of dry veggies; instead, you can include vegetables in your favorite foods to give them a new zing.

4 Ways to Add Vegetables to Your Diet

#1. Bake Them Into Crust

If you struggle with the taste or texture of vegetables, bake them into your favorite dough or cracker recipe. You can make vegetable and dill crackers for a snack of crackers and cheese, or add some broccoli to your chicken pot pie crust. Baking your vegetables gives you the opportunity to add nutrients to your diet without creating a dramatic or overwhelming flavor.

#2. Get Adventurous With Quiche or Frittata

Instead of scrambled eggs or egg whites in the morning, pop a frittata or quiche in the oven, complete with a healthy handful of some cauliflower, artichokes, or spinach. Vegetables pair well with eggs, interacting with the flavor of eggs without overpowering them. You can up your protein by tossing in some turkey bacon or chicken, or round out the flavor by sprinkling your favorite fresh herbs on top.

#3. Spruce Up Your Pizza

Pizza does not have to be relegated to the same old combination of bread, pasta sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Get creative with your pizza. Decorate your pie with spinch and artichoke, lay on the peppers and onions, or experiment with the addition of Mediterranean flavors using cucumbers and feta cheese.

#4. Create a Unique Stir Fry

If you are not familiar with tried-and-true vegetable combinations, toss some (healthy) oil into a pan, caramelize some onions, and start throwing vegetables together. You can mix broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots for a simple, easy flavor, or you can pair shallots, bell peppers, and sweet potatoes for a sweet and spicy feel. Pour your stir-fry over some quinoa, and you’ve got a hearty, delicious meal.