How do you remind yourself to eat the amazing fruits and veg

PrincessBelladonna

I always have tried to eat healthy. I really do not have much of a sweet tooth at all (Savory carby food and dairy are my downfalls...crusty bread and cheese...mmmm). But I do always try to buy fresh fruits and veggies when I am at the supermarket. But it's like, once i put them in the fridge and close the door...i forget they are there. Due to the Florida heat, I can't keep them out. Does anyone have any ways they remind themselves to open the fridge and grab those yummy fresh string beans or broccolli? (I love veggies and fruit so I am not being annoying in saying yummy). I am so excited about this new journey. I want tips and tricks that will not just help me lose weight but also sustain it and a healthy lifestyle.

itsuki

I'm the same way - could care less for candy, but give me a baguette and some sharp cheddar and I'm in heaven!

One way I help remind myself to eat veggies is to portion them out ahead of time in little baggies and put them in the same section of my fridge as my other snacks. Then when I'm grabbing something to make a lunch with, I will see them and usually grab one!

Another thing I do is put happy broccolis (like, little drawings) on all my non-veggie snack boxes (pretzels and wheat thins rice cakes and what not) so that when I go to grab some, I am reminded of my happy veggies in the fridge. Who can resist a smiling vegetable? :P

Dtrmnd86

I have the same problem when I use the bottom bins for my produce. What I started doing is to put them on the top shelf right in plain view. Every time I open the fridge, I see them first, so when I'm browsing for a snack, I grab for them first. Or you could put a sign up on your fridge saying "Did you eat your veggies today?" lol

sexforjaffacakes

Another thing I do is put happy broccolis (like, little drawings) on all my non-veggie snack boxes (pretzels and wheat thins rice cakes and what not) so that when I go to grab some, I am reminded of my happy veggies in the fridge. Who can resist a smiling vegetable? :P

Too cute!

asyouseefit

Plan your meals. Sit down and write down your (main) meals for the week before going grocery shopping. That way you won't have to remember to use them... You just grab your plan and prepare what you planned.

rachelhohenbrink

The best thing to do is to wash them if needed right away when you get them home. Then store them in clear containers at eye level where you can be reminded that they are there. Also at every meal think about what you have to make a well rounded nutritious choice. Do you have all the food groups? That will help you I hope.

seehawkmomma

I always have tried to eat healthy. I really do not have much of a sweet tooth at all (Savory carby food and dairy are my downfalls...crusty bread and cheese...mmmm). But I do always try to buy fresh fruits and veggies when I am at the supermarket. But it's like, once i put them in the fridge and close the door...i forget they are there. Due to the Florida heat, I can't keep them out. Does anyone have any ways they remind themselves to open the fridge and grab those yummy fresh string beans or broccolli? (I love veggies and fruit so I am not being annoying in saying yummy). I am so excited about this new journey. I want tips and tricks that will not just help me lose weight but also sustain it and a healthy lifestyle.

I live in Florida too

What I do is I prepack my lunches. I save one drawer and my Oranges and Apples and veggies all go into a plastic bag for the week. So that takes care of my lunch.

Now for when I am at home I only buy one week of grocerys at a time (It makes for less waste) So I dont have a whole lot of food in my fridge so its easy to see.

If you have a full fridge try writing notes on the fridge "Dont forget the Kiwi's!!"

Fairysoul

My MFP Diary is set up something like this
Frutis
Veggies
Beans/meat
Dairy
Grains ect....

That way I know if I am getting enough fresh fruits and veggies, also I plan out all of meals and I usually roast or steam fresh veggies with our meals...

darsh11

My weight watchers leader has these tips.
Don't put them in the fruit and veggie drawer. Put them at eye level in the fridge so that you are always looking at them when you open the door.

Take some of the fruits and veggies out each morning and put them on the counter in plain view so you have to see them when you go into the kitchen.

Try to eat the colors of the rainbow in Fruit and Veggies each day. That is our challenge this week so it is on my mind.

csklebar

I count them in my notes section on my food diary on MFP. I also just have one shelf for my lunch items, so I can pack everything in.

rwd5046

Quickly make a dish or cassarole with them so they are your meals for the coming days. Works for me.........

luwalmsley1983

I'm the same way - could care less for candy, but give me a baguette and some sharp cheddar and I'm in heaven!

One way I help remind myself to eat veggies is to portion them out ahead of time in little baggies and put them in the same section of my fridge as my other snacks. Then when I'm grabbing something to make a lunch with, I will see them and usually grab one!

Another thing I do is put happy broccolis (like, little drawings) on all my non-veggie snack boxes (pretzels and wheat thins rice cakes and what not) so that when I go to grab some, I am reminded of my happy veggies in the fridge. Who can resist a smiling vegetable? :P

So cute!

adidrea

I had the same problem! They would always spoil before I ate them. But then recently I started cutting them up and putting them in clear containers (so that I can see what's inside). If they're washed, chopped up and ready to eat it's so much easier! They actually look much more appealing than when they're just sitting there in that plastic bag. I now eat all of my veggies before they go bad

I like to use glass mason jars (I just save them from pasta sauce). There's something about the glass containers that makes the veggies last longer than the plastic ones.

Good luck!

JustLindaLou

I have been guilty of letting far too much produce go to waste as well. I like to make a list of the perishables I have on hand on a dry erase board on the pantry door, and note the dish I plan to use them in. Then I can just erase them as used.

rufflestx

I use a 4 qrt sealed container (Tupper or Glad) and fill it with little piles of several cut up veggies, Pull it out and grab a bowl full (I use the same size bowl so I know the measure), after 5-6 days I put what ever is left in the tupper (or glad) into a pot with some saltfree beef or chicken broth and let them cook for a simple soup. Go to the store and restock.

I used to put the veggies in separate sandwich bags thinking it would make it easier, but that was just another step that kept me from preparing properly and grab and eat. The large tupper (or glad) works best for me to get into them often.

luwalmsley1983

I always have tried to eat healthy. I really do not have much of a sweet tooth at all (Savory carby food and dairy are my downfalls...crusty bread and cheese...mmmm). But I do always try to buy fresh fruits and veggies when I am at the supermarket. But it's like, once i put them in the fridge and close the door...i forget they are there. Due to the Florida heat, I can't keep them out. Does anyone have any ways they remind themselves to open the fridge and grab those yummy fresh string beans or broccolli? (I love veggies and fruit so I am not being annoying in saying yummy). I am so excited about this new journey. I want tips and tricks that will not just help me lose weight but also sustain it and a healthy lifestyle.

I batch cook and freeze meals and I literally stuff as much vegetables as I can in the recipies. Also buy frozen veg - so it doesn't go off - things like peppers, onions and green beans just as an example that you'd use in a stirfry come out just the same if they're frozen or fresh.

As for remembering there have been loads of really good ideas about this for you... so I'll leave that to them!

TinaBean007

I love the happy veggie idea!! I also have in the fridge a large plastic container of fruits and the lid off so I can see them at all times. It reminds me of the fruits and veggies in the bottom drawer. Out of site means out of mind for me.... I have to put everything in plain site! (However, those boxes of cracker-like treats can call my name from their hiding place in the pantry.)

These little mental tricks are key to sustaining a lifestyle change!

Lazlocats

Don't make those foods so available then all you can eat are the fruits and veges.....have them washed and ready to eat in the fridge.

Sweet_Potato

Plan your meals. Sit down and write down your (main) meals for the week before going grocery shopping. That way you won't have to remember to use them... You just grab your plan and prepare what you planned.

This is what I do-- I have a few meals in mind when I go grocery shopping. I also have a couple days a week where I make something up with whatever produce needs to be used soonest. Additionally, I like to have a lot of vegetables on hand that will keep a long time (potatoes, carrots, leeks and onions, various other roots vegetables). The items that are more perishable I tend to buy as I need them, in small quantities, and I keep them in mind so I'm sure to use them in time. Of course, most veggies and herbs can be frozen if it looks like there's no way you can use them in time. Or use them to make stock.

PrincessBelladonna

That is an amazing idea!!

determined2lose89

I put fruit on my desk during the work week to remind myself to eat it.

MaggieMay131

I just make sure to have a big serving of veggies at both lunch and dinner, and sometimes breakfast! If I intentionally plan to have them at each meal, it's a no brainer for me that I'm going to be taking them out. I don' tknow if that's a good "reminder" or not, but just making that decision helped me immensely!

lwheeesa

Green smoothies allow me to get all my fruit/leafy greens in one swoop. You can adjust fruit as much as you like (to where you don't even taste the greens if you prefer) and add yogurt if you want. My favorite is frozen berries, 1/2 frozen banana and about 3 packed cups of raw spinach or mustard/turnip greens with water (can use orange juice). This makes about 2-3 mornings worth.

miss_ally08

I try to incorporate a serving or two of fruit with my breakfast in the morning. I usually buy not too sweet cereal so I eat my fruit with that (bananas, blueberries, etc).

As far as veggies, I eat a lot of baby carrots or cucumbers with my snacks or mini salads (when at school). It's not staring at me in the fridge, but I have bought a lot less processed/junk food so that I don't have many options but to eat healthy, lol. I try to buy fiber-packed crackers instead of pretzels/chips to keep me full longer. I just bought some sweet potato chips though that have a full serving of a sweet potato in an ounce - I'm gonna start eating those, just so I can snack better too.

Good luck You can do it, girl!

amberaz

I cut up a bunch of raw veggies a couple of time per week and put them in a divided veggie tupperware that I have. I make sure to have ranch dip made with greek yogurt or hummus to eat them with. I make sure I get the veggie box out once per day at least and also try to eat a spinach salad on most days.

blonde20fan

Great tips!! Thanks!

TeaBea

Another thing I do is put happy broccolis (like, little drawings) on all my non-veggie snack boxes (pretzels and wheat thins rice cakes and what not) so that when I go to grab some, I am reminded of my happy veggies in the fridge. Who can resist a smiling vegetable? :P

Too cute!

Good idea!

EngiAli

Wash them, cut them up (if necessary), portion out things like veggies or berries for you lunch bag and put it on the shelves - not in the drawer. Even but your fruit bowl in the fridge. Put the less healthy stuff (or stuff you won't forget about) in the drawers.

Grokette

I always have tried to eat healthy. I really do not have much of a sweet tooth at all (Savory carby food and dairy are my downfalls...crusty bread and cheese...mmmm). But I do always try to buy fresh fruits and veggies when I am at the supermarket. But it's like, once i put them in the fridge and close the door...i forget they are there. Due to the Florida heat, I can't keep them out. Does anyone have any ways they remind themselves to open the fridge and grab those yummy fresh string beans or broccolli? (I love veggies and fruit so I am not being annoying in saying yummy). I am so excited about this new journey. I want tips and tricks that will not just help me lose weight but also sustain it and a healthy lifestyle.

When you purchase them, get them home, wash and cut up the vegetables and always keep the fruit and vegetables handy.

It is not hard for me because I was raised to eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. We rarely ate bread, chips, cookies, crackers, etc.

I was basically raised on a controlled carb lifestyle growing up and I have went back to that same lifestyle.