Losing Weight by Eating Homegrown Vegetables

Vegetables are one of the most effective foods to add to your diet if you are trying to lose weight. Growing your own vegetables provides you with the freshest and most delicious choices possible. Imagine being able to pick healthy, low-calorie vegetables from your own garden whenever you like. Additionally, you can freeze or can your homegrown vegetables to enjoy throughout the year.

Garden vegetables are not only low in calories, but have a high content of water and fiber, which make them a more filling food choice. The National Institute of Health recommends eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Filling up on these low calorie foods will provide you with a great source of vitamins and other nutrients as well.

Start your day by adding fresh spinach or tomatoes to your breakfast omelet. Sliced fresh tomatoes are also delicious on their own. Adding vegetables will provide more flavor, nutrients and filling fiber.

At lunchtime, make a sandwich or wrap that’s bursting with fresh garden vegetables. You can substitute lettuce and tomatoes for part of the meat or cheese in a sandwich to lower your calories.

Add chopped fresh vegetables to your soup or leftovers to make them healthier and more filling. Try broccoli, green beans, carrots, peppers or tomatoes. And of course, you can always make the freshest and most delicious salads from your own garden produce.

When planning your evening meal, you can substitute homegrown vegetables for processed foods, rice or pasta. Even if you cut the amount of pasta by adding fresh chopped vegetables, you’ll be filling up on less calories and more nutrients. Try adding fresh zucchini, peppers or broccoli to whole-grain pasta or brown rice for a tasty dinner.

Fresh vegetables should make up the major portion of your meal, along with small portions of lean protein and whole grains. Add a fresh salad to your supper to satisfy your appetite without adding calories and fat.

Your garden vegetables are simple to prepare at home. Try steaming green beans or broccoli to crisp perfection. Use simple herbs, which can also be grown in your garden, to flavor your vegetable dishes without adding fat. Remember to eat your vegetables in their freshest state, and avoid frying them or adding high-calorie dressings or sauces.

Snacks while dieting don’t have to be forbidden, either. Pick some fresh cherry tomatoes, baby carrots or cucumber to take along to work with some low-fat dressing or dip and you’ve got a snack that will help you along with your weight loss goals.

Having your own garden produce to choose from can make dieting so much easier by keeping healthy food choices within reach. Remember to substitute vegetables for other higher-calorie food choices for the most benefit.

Why not plan your own dieting success by having your favorite vegetables right in your own backyard? You’ll be amazed at how fresh and flavorful life can be when you add garden vegetables to your diet.

Don’t wait, start your own garden today! Gardening is so healthy for you and provides great fruits and vegetables. Find out more and get started.

By JULIE F