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SALT LAKE CITY — Eating well means something different for different people. Maybe it’s eating certain foods, maybe it’s avoiding certain foods, or maybe it’s following a particular diet.
Regardless of what you do to eat well, it’s safe to say eating more fruits and vegetables is a way to eat better. They are sources of fiber, which help keep you regular, and have a variety of nutrients your body uses to function. That includes functional nutrients that are anti-inflammatory and reduce your risk of a number of diseases. Additionally, when prepared well, they are tasty.
However, Americans find it difficult to meet the daily five servings recommendation. Perhaps people don't know how to incorporate vegetables into meals or snacks. Maybe they don't think of buying them when grocery shopping. It's possible fruits and veggies get shoved into the back of the fridge and rot. Of course, people may just not like fruits or vegetables.
If you're one of those people, this information is for you. Here are five spring fruits and vegetables with a variety of delicious recipes to help you add more to your meals.
1. Strawberries
- Fresh Strawberry Salsa via Marie Dittmer, RD, of Healthy Ideas Place
- Strawberry Chocolate Overnight Oats via Nazima Qureshi, MPH, RD, of Nutrition by Nazima
- Strawberry Cucumber Salad via Judy Barbe, RD, of Live Best
2. Asparagus
- Creamy Asparagus Soup
- Asparagus Orange Salad via Kaleigh McMordie, MS, RD, of Lively Table Blog
- Asparagus with Lemon Skyr via Tracee Yablon Brenner, RDN, CHHC, culinary director at Triad to Wellness
- Asparagus Chicken Penne with Dairy-Free Walnut Pesto via Christy Brissette, MS, RD, president of 80 Twenty Nutrition
3. Peas
- Spring Grain Bowl with Charred Sugar Snap Peas via Abby Langer, RD, owner of Abby Langer Nutrition in Toronto
- Ginger and Soy Shrimp with Bean Sprouts and Snow Peas via Melanie Flinn, RD, of Nutritious Eats
- Orange Peel Chicken with Snow Peas via Kaleigh McMordie, RDN, MS, of Lively Table Blog
4. Broccoli
- Restaurant Style Beef and Broccoli
- Mediterranean Roasted Chicken with Broccoli and Peppers via Christy Brissette, MS, RD, president of 80 Twenty Nutrition
- Creamy Broccoli & Avocado Soup via Tracee Yablon Brenner, RDN, CHHC, culinary director at Triad to Wellness
5. Rhubarb
- Strawberry Rhubarb Breakfast Crisp via Rachael Hartley of Avocado a Day Nutrition
- Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake via Amanda Hernandez, MA, RD, of Nutritionist Reviews
- Rhubarb Overnight Oats via Abby Langer, RD, owner of Abby Langer Nutrition in Toronto
Some of these recipes may not seem healthy to you, but I included dessert recipes that have not been doctored to be healthier because healthy eating, in my professional opinion, is eating a variety of foods to nourish your body and mind.
Being preoccupied with foods, labeling foods as good or bad, or being worried about eating "perfectly" is not healthy. It is stressful and can lead to disordered eating patterns and negative impacts on mental health.
For more information, check out these previous KSL articles about weight and nutrition:
