I’ve always loved vegetables; I love the bright colors since I’m such a visual person and I love the variety of flavors and textures that come with different types of vegetables. Growing up in a Pakistani household I was exposed to many vegetables traditional to the cuisine such as bhindi (okra), shalgam (turnip), tinday (Indian squash), kadu (pumpkin/squash), karela (bitter gourd), saag (mustard greens) and many others!
As I explore more vegetarian and vegan options, I’m happy to increase my intake of veggies and I generally do prefer cooking with and eating more fresh vegetables than using soy based products when switching out meat. I really enjoy looking around the fresh produce section now and trying vegetables I’ve never cooked with. There are more than a thousand vegetables cultivated worldwide, we really are spoilt for choice!
I think everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are good for your health and having your five a day is important, but just as a reminder:
🥕Fruit and vegetables are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, vitamin C and potassium.
🌽They're an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestion problems. A diet high in fibre can also reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
🍆They can help to reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
🥦Fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthy, balanced diet.
My favourite ways to eat veggies nowadays are in a salad, veggie sticks and hummus, soup, curry, with pasta or cous cous, tagine, stir fry, veggie chilli, in a wrap, taco or pitta pocket! If you have any more ideas or favourite ways to eat veggies, let me know in the comments below!