Easy Ways to Fit In-Season Fruits and Veggies into Your Diet This Fall
A Healthier Michigan
| 4 min read
You are probably aware that eating more fruits and veggies is good for your health. When it comes time to prepare a meal, it can be difficult to know the best way to include and serve the proper amount of fresh fruits and vegetables or to break long-standing habits tied to food. Here are some easy ways to fit more in-season fruits and vegetables into your diet this fall.
Fresh Fruits and Veggies Ideas for Breakfast
There are a few very easy ways to get more fruit and veggies with your morning meal, from whole fresh fruit to sweet or savory breakfast meals.
Keep fresh fruits and veggies handy
Keeping fresh fruit handy in a basket or bowl on the counter or table is an easy way to make fresh fruit available and in sight. Remember that out of sight often means out of mind, so it’s best to replace ultra-processed and unhealthy grab-and-go options with fresh fruit or veggies.
Add fruit to breakfast cereals and oatmeal
Heighten your breakfast cereal, hot oatmeal or overnight oats by adding chopped or sliced fruit to it. Adding fresh apples, berries or stone fruit is an easy way to introduce more fruit to your diet while sticking to breakfast standbys. Simply add at least ½ cup of fruit to each bowl of oatmeal or cereal. You can cut fruit ahead of time and store it sealed in the refrigerator as meal prep for breakfasts.
Add fresh vegetables to eggs
You don’t have to make a fancy omelet or quiche to enjoy eggs with fresh veggies. Chopped veggies can easily be added to scrambled eggs or made into a spread to eat on toast with eggs. Consider pre-chopping veggies so they can easily be tossed into breakfast egg dishes.
Make fresh smoothies
A smoothie can be an easy and fast solution for a fruit-filled breakfast, and you can add vegetables to really pack a punch with nutrients. You can try one these three healthy smoothie recipes designed to boost brain health, soothe inflammation or replace unhealthy sweet treats. You can also simply make a smoothie with your personal favorite in-season fruits, with milk or yogurt of your choice.
Fresh Fruits and Veggies Ideas for Lunch and Dinner
It can be easy to serve a side of veggies with lunch or dinner, but fruits and veggies can be the star of the show. With a little preparation, you can enjoy lunches and dinners chock-full of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Build a sandwich with layers of vegetables
A deli meat sandwich is the predominant choice in the U.S., but using vegetables as the focus on your sandwich opens up many possibilities. Even if you don’t forgo the meat on the sandwich, you can always pile a sandwich high with leafy greens and fresh sliced vegetables to create tasty meals. Try this Vegan Lemony Hummus sandwich made with creamy hummus, roasted red pepper and arugula. Hummus is a great partner for fresh veggies in a sandwich, giving the sandwich a nutty, savory flavor.
Make a fresh salad
There are few rules when it comes to building a salad. You can combine your favorites vegetables and even fruits into a satisfying mix or crispy, crunchy flavor. Make sure to use a healthy dressing or make your own and aim for 1 or 2 tsp. per cup of salad to keep portions healthy. Two great salads that makes use of Michigan fall fruits and veggies are the Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Apple salad, or the Roasted Butternut Squash salad. Get creative and find new ways to combine your favorite fruit and veggie flavors in a salad.
Prepare extra veggies
When you are slicing or cooking vegetables for any meal, prepare extra to store and save for use in meals later. This can simplify the process of adding veggies into eggs, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, stir-fry and more later.
