Strive for 5 Tips
Strive for 5 Tips
Tip #1: Strive for 5 Cups of Fruits and Vegetables without Breaking the Bank
Think it’s too expensive to Strive for 5 cups every day? Think again— frozen and canned produce can be less expensive and just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts. Plus you can keep them on hand longer (less waste from spoilage), and they’re easy to prepare.
Tip #2: Go from Blah to Ah!
Dress up those veggies with one of our simple pairings to add flavor fast. Top cooked frozen broccoli with marinara sauce or a teaspoon of Wegmans Signature Lemon Dill Finishing Butter. Cook frozen corn-on-the cob and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of barbeque seasoning. It’s just that easy!
Tip #3: Cook it Quick
Unless you plan on eating them raw, it makes sense to use canned or frozen veggies in cooked dishes. Most frozen varieties are recipe-ready. Open a bag and toss them in a batch of homemade soup or a stir fry. For chili, canned beans only need a quick rinse and drain before using. Remember, beans count as a vegetable!
Tip # 4: Fitting 5 Cups of Fruits and Vegetables into Your Day is Easier than You Think!
Strive to include at least one cup of fruits or vegetables per meal. Cleaned and cut fresh mixes and frozen and canned produce help you add these delicious lower calorie, higher fiber ingredients to your meal conveniently. Here’s a sample of how easy it can be:
Fruit for breakfast = 1 cup
Top toaster waffles or cereal with cut-up fruit, or eat alone with toast or a bagel.
Salad for lunch = 2 cups
Because they’re airy, two cups of salad greens count as one cup, not two. Toss in shredded carrots, some garbanzo beans, bell peppers, and a handful of grape tomatoes, to easily add another cup.
A snack = 1 cup
About mid-afternoon, you’re likely to get the munchies. Here’s where a large banana or apple can come in handy. Or, it can be baby-cut carrots or crunchy fennel or snap peas.
Dinner = 1 cup
Sit and enjoy your supper–pan-seared fish, steamed broccoli and small baked potato, or whole wheat pasta and roasted vegetables sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
5 cups = goal accomplished!
