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How do I make sure I eat enough raw veggies and salads when I don’t naturally love them? Read on for my six tips on how to love eating salads and raw veggies at home.
I have a confession to make – I’m not a big fan of raw veggies. And I get bored with salads very quickly. There….I said it!
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I know they’re super healthy and are an important part of fighting cancer. My nutrition goal is pretty simple – to overload my system with all the phytonutrients, vitamins, protein, and fiber. And that means more veggies.
But when it comes to actually eating them raw, I’m less than excited. And I don’t know about you, but I want to be excited about what’s on my plate!
What do I do to up my enjoyment factor? I’ll let you in on my secrets.
How to love eating salads and cold veggies
I seem to love salads at restaurants but not so much at home. In fact, most of my go-to recipes are warm, not cold, so I need to change things up for the hot summer months.
Here are my top tips for loving my healthy meals at home – including salads!
- Use plenty of dips, sauces, and dressings, but make sure they’re healthy. I will eat tons of raw veggies if I dip them in something yummy. This truly makes a world of difference for me. I pick one or two to make every week. Some of my favorites (click for recipes):
Store-bought hummus or guacamole: look for organic, made with olive or avocado oil, with no added preservatives or sweeteners.
Trader Joe’s and other health-conscious markets carry some great vegan dressings in the fresh produce section. Look for Spicy Almond Butter, Vegan Caesar, and Carrot Miso at TJ’s.
2. Wash and prep your veggies right when you get home from the market so they’re ready to go and you have no excuse not to eat them. Or buy them pre-chopped…no judgment here.
3. Create a salad showstopper.
Plate your salad in a special bowl. Make sure it’s bigger than you think you need. It’s not fun to be digging around and having the salad spill out over the sides.
Sprinkle some crunch on top; try raw sunflower seeds or slivered almonds. Experiment with different textures and flavors.
Have fun arranging the salad or veggies. Make a smiley face on top with cucumber slices or broccoli for eyes, an olive for the nose, and pepper slices or carrots for the mouth. Create a 3D effect by stacking or leaning your veggies. It may sound childish, but it can give you a little creative boost and make the whole thing more enjoyable.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
– Robert Brault, writer
4. Set a pretty table. My grandma used to always set a pretty table, even when the two of us were just sitting down for a simple dinner after finishing our holiday baking.
It makes me feel special and I actually enjoy my food more when my surroundings look nice, and it doesn’t have to be fancy to take more than a few minutes to prepare. Setting the table with these little extras were engrained in me during my days in Europe.
Try one or more of these ideas:
Put a few fresh flowers in a vase, cup, or pitcher. I like to pick up a small inexpensive bunch at Trader Joe’s. Or pick a few from your yard if you have them.
Use pretty cloth napkins (good for the environment too)
Set the table with a tablecloth; light a candle or two
If you have a patio or deck, eat outside. Or pack a blanket plus a small picnic in to-go containers.
5. Set the mood.
No electronics at the table. Make this a non-negotiable if it’s not already. Place a basket out of sight and out of reach and have everyone put their phones, tablets, etc. in it before sitting down to a meal.
Put on some mood music: Something romantic if it’s just your sweetie and you, or something fun (but not too distracting) if you have kids at the table.
Come up with a few questions to start the conversation during dinner. Some examples (or come up with your own):
- What I like about you: take turns telling each person one or two things you like or appreciate about them
- Would you rather…make them choose between two things that are not really that great. For example, would you rather have dinner with someone interesting but smelled bad or was boring but smelled good? You can adjust this depending on the ages and stages of your kids.
- Pits and peaks: describe one “pit” today (something not great) and two “peaks” (highlights of your day)
- Name three places in the world you have not been but would love to visit and why
- What’s happening in the news today (try to keep it positive if possible; there are lots of bright spots if we look for them)
6. Express gratitude for this healthy meal you’re about to enjoy. Say a prayer or spend a moment of quiet reflection on your feelings of thankfulness for the food you’re able to eat.
I find that even if I do just a few of these tips, I will enjoy all the food on my plate. I’m engaged in interesting conversation, I’m admiring the people around me and the beauty of my surroundings. I’m grateful and full of peace.
“The food on your plate is a gift of health, waiting for you to take a bite.”
What healthy foods do you have to motivate yourself to eat? How do you get motivated to eat them? Comment below!
