[Submitted Question]

I don’t ordinarily like vegetables. What is the best way to incorporate them into my pregnancy diet?

[WombToBloom]

Vegetables don’t need to be eaten alone and can be incorporated into soups, stews and casseroles which contain meat and potatoes as well as vegetables. When in doubt, talk to a nutritionist about recipes you can make that incorporate vegetables as well as meats and starches. You don’t have to limit yourself to raw vegetables but can eat a mixture of raw and cooked vegetables mixed in a tasty stew or casserole.

[Catmuse33]

Add cheese! LOL Seriously... the calcium isn't going to hurt you and everything tastes better with cheese. LOL

Are there ANY vegetables you can tolerate?

Learning to like veggies may be something you will want to incorporate into your new lifestyle as a mom... how will you get your baby to eat your veggies if you don't? Your baby somehow grows accustomed, in the womb, to the foods you ate during pregnancy too. (With the exception of bananas, which I love and DD HATES, I've found this old wives tale to be true.) And if you're breastfeeding, she'll get even more used to the taste in your milk. Those are some great reasons to learn to like vegetables, it's just a matter of experimenting until you find some you like.

And seriously, sauces, cheeses and even butter make most taste so much better. It's not exactly the "healthiest" solution, but it's better than not eating them at all. Reminds me of a conversation I once had to justify my love for fried zucchini... "They're fried but they're VEGETABLES!"

[Chelziee]

I use this cookbook because my sister in law needs the veggies and refuses to eat them, so I make something with hidden veggies to take to every family get together.
There is a cook book called Deceptively Delicious. All kinds of ways to sneak veggies in places where you would never expect to put them. It also helps to cut down calories but still be heathy and be eating the right things! I love the book. There is also something called Cook Yourself Thin. The same thing as the other, just different stuff! Hope this helps!!!

[doulastacie]

If you like pasta sauce, you can puree any veggie and add it to the sauce. That's how you fool the kids too. Now if only my kids liked sauce!

[ClarissaNassar]

I think there is a herbal thing you can try--if you dont mind taking pills...they are all natural and my Dad takes them because he has ulcer issues and needs to stay away from too many veggies.

Email me if you are interested and I can get you the details of the pills!

[BatikMama]

For me, the first three months or so, I never want veggies! Give me some pie....Hehee, after that I start to crave salads, veggie sandwiches, and fresh fruits. It can be sort of conflicting when your body says one thing, and baby pros another! If you start slowly, like trying something like veggie juice, or something you are ok with eating, you may find in a bit you want the green stuff!

[iambarefoot]

I used to hate most veggies. But I told myself I LOVED them and little by little it came true. Now I love broccoli, grean beans, ASPARAGUS. Just remind yourself how good they are for you and baby and how much you LOOOOOVE them.

[Catmuse33]

I am barefoot,
Just curious--do you practice the Law of Attraction? that's pretty much what your technique sounds like. I've found it works for lots of things.
Dawn

[Terra Baby]

Originally Posted by Submitted Question

I don’t ordinarily like vegetables. What is the best way to incorporate them into my pregnancy diet?

One of the best ways to incorporate vegetables into you diet is to drink them! Making a green smoothie for breakfast one of the the easiest ways to encorporate more vegetables into your diet. Simply add additional vegetables into a *fruit* smoothie in the morning. I personally believe that smoothies are more beneficial than than juicing becuase the blended fruits/veggies retains the majority of the fiber contained in the fruit.

One of the best foods for pregnancy are dark leafy greens because they are packed with vitamins. At the top of this list is kale! Kale is packed with vitamins A, K, C, calcium, magnese, folate, Vitamin B6, B2, B1 and B3 and even Omega 3 fatty acids and protein! Though most people see kale as a garnish rather than an ingredient, it provides the best nutritional bang for your buck.

WHFoods: Kale

Here are a few of my favorite green smoothies:
1 banana
1-2 pears
kale
handful of mint

1 Carrot (chopped)
4 Florets of Broccoli
2 Handfuls of Kale
1 Apple (chopped)
2 Oranges (peeled and quartered)
Orange Juice to dilute

1 cup apple juice
1 cup of sliced apple (sweet tasting apples are better)
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup of cucumber (peeled and sliced)
2 cups of ice
a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon (optional)

1 bunch of kale, finely chopped
1-2 grated carrots
3 cups boiled water
1 cup coconut milk
Add kale, carrot and water to a blender and puree very well, about 2 minutes.
Add coconut milk and blend for 10-15 seconds more. Serve warm or place in the fridge and serve chilled. Add a slice of ginger or a dash of cayenne pepper for an added kick.
I like it with the ginger.

I tend to toss in the blender whatever fruit I have around and then grab a sweet vegetable or green to put in. I put beets in my fruit smoothies a lot. Beets are packed with vitamins and minerals, they're sweet and they don't make your smoothie baby poo green or brown- which no matter how yummy the drink is, can be a little bit unappealing.

It's easier to keep some flash steamed/boiled veggies in your fridge, they blend easier...that's what I do for carrotts, instead of spending extra money on the pre shredded bags.

If you eat a lot of lettuce (in salads or even on sandwiches etc) switch out the lettuce for a more nutrient packed dark leafy green try beet greens, kale or red/swiss chard.

When you get the munchies, try to force youself to choose a vegetable rather than a chip or a sweet. For example, instead of eating hummus and pita chips, choose hummus and baby carrots or sliced cucumbers.

Try not to think about "packing stuff into" your diet. Think about CROWDING STUFF OUT of your diet- instead of choosing pita chips with your hummus, choose cucumber spears, carrots or celery.

Good luck!