September doesn’t just mean that the new school year is beginning, it also means it’s time to think about how we can add more nutrition into our diets! September is Fruits and Veggies More Matters Month! Adding fruits and veggies into your daily diet doesn’t need to be difficult. Read the guide below to help you think “fruits & veggies” while grocery shopping, on the go, and for your children’s school lunch.
At the Grocery Store
While you are strolling down the grocery aisles, remember that all forms of fruits and vegetables count – whether canned, frozen, dried or juiced. Below are a few ways to make grocery shopping fun and easy:
- Kids Choice: Have your kids choose the fruits and vegetables that will be added to your meals this week.
- No Spoilers: Prevent food from spoiling by using perishable produce at the beginning of the week, and frozen or canned foods at the end.
- Color Hunt: Getting your kids excited about fruits and veggies is important when trying to incorporate the importance of nutrition. Let them pick different colors for the meal each week and find the colors in fruits and vegetables.
- Mix It Up: Aim for variety – choose a different fruit and vegetable each week to mix up your meals!
On the Go
When eating on the go, it may seem difficult to include fruits and veggies, but it’s actually simple to include them even when you’re away from home. The key is preparation – read on for tips and ideas to avoid snacking on last minute sugar, high-fat snacks and meals that will slow you down.
- Combos: Many restaurants offer soup/salad/sandwich combinations to mix and match. Go for the vegetable soup or ask for extra veggies on your sandwich.
- Zip it up: When you’re traveling or simply just on the go, put little snacks like celery, carrots, or berries in sandwich bags for an easy, mess-free snack.
- Sizzlin’: Opt for the sizzling options on restaurant menus that include lots of vegetables, like stir fry or fajitas.
Back to School
Help boost your child’s brain power by fueling their bodies with healthy fruits and vegetables. These can be great sources of the important nutrients your child needs for healthy development.
- Color Their Lunch: Have your child choose a color from the rainbow to brighten up their lunch and add fruits and veggies of that color.
- Play with food: Add some fun to their meals by slicing fruit and veggies into shapes like hearts and butterflies so they can have fun while eating nutritious snacks!
Every step toward eating more fruits and veggies can help you and your family live a healthier life. The task of adding more to your daily meals can be both simple and fun! Click here to find out what fruits and veggies are in season now.
https://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/quick-guide-to-getting-more-fruits-and-vegetables
https://healthfinder.gov/NHO/SeptemberToolkit2.aspx
https://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/September+is+Fruits+%26+Veggies–More+Matters+Month