It’s unanimous: Do this more often in 2019

For many, ringing in the New Year marks a fresh start and a popular time to make a change or try achieving a new or previously attempted personal goal.

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to improve personal fitness and nutrition. Is this something you have set out to do in 2019? Sobeys dietitians can help you stick to your goals and achieve your best!

First, we suggest setting realistic goals and striving for healthy, long- lasting habits. Avoid fad diets and quick fixes that sound too good to be true – they usually are!

You don’t have to punish yourself for a few indulgences over the holidays. What you eat between New Year’s and Christmas matters more than what you ate between Christmas and New Year’s.

I asked several Sobeys Registered Dietitians (RDS) for their top recommendations on eating better in 2019, and it was unanimous – it’s all about eating more

vegetables. Here are some tips to help you increase your veggie intake.

Bite Off What You Can Chew If you’re not a veggie eater to begin with, aiming to have them at every meal may not seem appetizing and may not last long either. Instead, start by finding one way in your daily routine to eat more vegetables.

RD Tip: If you are like many, time is precious. Try Sobeys’ ready-made salads and meals or stop by the deli for roasted vegetable options.

Double Up

Adding more vegetables to dishes you already prepare regularly is a great place to start. Bump up the amount of veg in your tomato sauce or soup, chili or casserole.

RD Tip: Don’t like chopping veggies? Our stores have various options to help you easily get more vegetables into your meals. When shopping in the produce section, look for pre-diced mixtures of celery, onion and carrot or pre-chopped broccoli and sliced peppers.

Visit the freezers to also find

options such as Compliments chopped spinach that is super easy to pop into a soup, stir fry or smoothie, and Compliments vegetables for spaghettis and soups.

Experiment

Try a vegetable that you’ve never had before, or try familiar vegetables in a different way. You just might find a new family favourite! Many people are not huge fans of Brussels sprouts until they try them roasted. Sometimes changing up the cooking method can help to improve how a vegetable tastes.

RD Tip: Join our Sobeys dietitians in a Healthy Cooking or Taste and Learn class to learn about tasty ways to prepare vegetables. Or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for vegetable recipe ideas all year long.

Plan

To help veggies make a regular appearance on your plate, take a few minutes every week to shred, chop or dice them ahead of time. Then store them in separate containers in the fridge. This makes them grab- and- go ready and you’ll be more likely to add them to a wrap or an omelet.

RD Tip: Make a designated space or use a tray in your fridge for easy access to your prechopped vegetables.

Nutrition Events

Guys in the Kitchen A two-week program to learn about making choices that taste good. Bring your appetite.

I will cook and you can eat! Protein Power: Tuesday, Jan. 8, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Rabbit Food: Tuesday, Jan. 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Call Jennifer at 902-895-7382 to register.