Question of the Week: "What to do if I don't like vegetables?"

The following question was submitted for discussion on this week's blog: "I have a very big issue when it comes to having diabetes and that is I do not eat vegetables.  I have tried.  I want control my diabetes and be around to raise my young children.  What suggestions do you have to add vegetables to my diet?"

Vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet.  Not only are they full of important vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, but they are full of fiber which will make you feel fuller, for longer.  Additionally, if your young children see you eating vegetables as part of your diet, they will be more likely to do the same.

First you need to ask yourself what was it about the vegetables that you didn't enjoy?  Was it the texture?  Vegetables don't need to be raw in order to be healthy.   You can cook them if it is the "crunch" that you disliked.  

There is an infinite amount of ways to prepare vegetables:  grilling, sauteing, stewing, roasting.  Maybe preparing them in a different fashion will change your mind.   Try a vegetable kebab - grill the vegetables until tender and include pineapple chunks to add a sweet flavor to the vegetables.

Why not try adding seasonings to the vegetables may increase your enjoyment of them?  Try onion, garlic olive oil.... Open your pantry and try a new seasoning or spice.  Create a sauce to simmer them in such as tomato, pesto, ......  Let your imagination go wild.

There are countless types of vegetables to choose from.  Go to your market and try something new.  It's possible that you may find something else you may enjoy. 

Grab a cookbook or look up recipes on line and give something new a shot.