8. Switch Up The Texture By Blending Your Veg
Are you finding it difficult to consume your 5-a-day quota of veg? If so, try switching up the texture of your veggies by whisking them in a blender, and you’ll find you can give them a whole new life! By blending your vegetables, instead of serving them roasted, raw, or sauteed, you can add them into soups, juices, smoothies or even serve them as a creamy dip.
Why not try blending up carrot, beetroot and tomato, then adding in some coriander and lime for a super healthy all-veggie dip? Or, how about creaming together some spinach, zucchini and celery for a zingy green smoothie that’s just begging for a touch of ginger and lime!
When you blend your veggies, you’ll find it much easier to digest them and so will kids, so it’s an ideal way to encourage little ones to eat more. Blending is perfect to make both the taste and texture of raw veggies more palatable, without losing any of the nutrients you normally would during the cooking process.
If you’re stuck trying to brainstorm ways to get children to consume more vegetables, why not try making some scrumptious smoothies – such as this delicious green strawberry smoothie made with spinach, avocado and yoghurt? You can also try garnishing chicken, fish, rice or pasta with your blended veggie mix, or placing finger friendly raw-veg crudites alongside a bowl of tasty veggie dip.
Remember to use all the parts of your vegetables when you blend, so you don’t lose any nutrients – and this includes the skin, pith and the flesh. If you’re going to be blending kale though, go easy as it has a punchy flavour, so add in a little and then taste, just to make sure. Oh and one more tip – you should never be tempted to use the blender to make mashed potatoes either, as potatoes contain a lot of starch. The process will tear the starch molecules apart and you’ll end up with a gummy paste – which might be okay if you’re making a veggie dip but it’s not so great for fluffy mash!
Also read: 8 Healthy Breakfast Smoothie Recipes
