Getting creative in the kitchen is one of the many ways we can celebrate the variety of flavors gifted to us by nature. We encourage all to eat the rainbow of natural wonders that are fruits and vegetables as often as you can, pushing yourself to try new foods and recipes in hopes of growing a love for something new. 

While we all know that eating a large variety of fruits and vegetables is good for you, finding ways to incorporate them into your daily life can be challenging. Below are some simple ways to bring more fruits and veggies to your diet. 

Use fruits and veggies as toppings 

Topping your dishes with fruits and vegetables is a great way to add a boost of flavor to your meal. Popular breakfast items like pancakes, yogurt bowls, toast, or oatmeal can easily be topped with strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. And you can open up the flavor of savory dishes like burgers, tacos, rice bowls, and stir-fry by topping them with lettuce, onions, mushrooms, corn, or spinach. Remember that the possibilities are endless. 

Mix fruits and vegetables into a smoothie 

Combine the fruits you have on hand into a blender with other foods like milk, yogurt, and granola. Or, if you prefer a vegetable smoothie, veggies like beets, kale, and carrots can give your smoothie an umami kick. Using both fruits and veggies in a smoothie, like in this avocado melon blend, is a great option, too. Any smoothie recipe can be a quick meal on the go or can serve as an additional boost to a larger meal. 

Create sorbets and popsicles 

Creating a sweet treat at home using the natural flavors of fruits can be rewarding for your taste buds! Simple desserts, such as sorbets and popsicles, can be created using ingredients you probably already have on hand, like yogurt or a little honey.  

Combine fruits and veggies to create salads 

A salad is so much more than just lettuce. There are countless combinations of fruits and vegetables you can combine to make a hearty, healthy snack, side, or meal. Collect any of your favorite fruits — such as apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, or any other ones (the combination possibilities are endless) — chop them up, throw them into a bowl, and shake it up to create a delicious and bright fruit salad. 

The same goes for vegetables. While many stores often sell pre-made salad kits and bags, larger and more inexpensive salad portions can be made by chopping up and combining your favorite vegetables, such as carrots, cabbage, lettuce, and spinach.  

These avenues of adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet may be small, but they can serve as a gateway to explore more creative ways to implement healthy eating in your life. Find out what fruits and vegetables are available for harvest at your local community garden or urban farm, as they may be available for free!