Cooking can be a lot of fun, but when you’re constantly relying on the same few kinds of vegetables, it can also get a little monotonous. If your meal prep game feels a little uninspired, here are a few veggies to shake things up.
Brussels Sprouts
Many people confidently say that they don’t like Brussels sprouts, yet it’s those same people who have never actually tried them! In fact, Brussels sprouts can be some of the most flavorful vegetables when they are prepared properly. Not only that, but this nutrient-dense veggie can decrease your risk of certain cancers while providing you with vitamins and minerals you may not get elsewhere.
Gherkins
If you’re a fan of pickles, there’s no doubt you’d love gherkins, which are essentially just baby pickles. But more than that, they are a delicious low-calorie snack to tide you over until dinner while also satisfying your salt craving. Gherkins offer quite a few health benefits but shouldn’t always be your go-to snack, as they also have hidden sugar and sodium levels that could be problematic over time.
Spinach
You’re probably pretty familiar with this one, but the best part about spinach is that it is so dynamic. To summarize a very long list of health benefits associated with this veggie: Spinach is packed with iron, helping to reduce your risk of iron-deficiency anemia; it’s filling, allowing you to avoid overeating; and it’s linked to osteoporosis prevention. It’s also a hydrating food, which you may not have even known was a thing.
Rainbow Carrots
You likely know about the beta-carotene contained in orange carrots – but orange isn’t the only carrot option out there! There are also red, yellow, and purple carrots that have varying health benefits: Red carrots are rich in lycopene, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers; yellow carrots have lutein, which can improve your eye health; and purple carrots are high in anthocyanins, which can help your immune system
Pepperoncini
If you like a little heat in your life, pepperoncini make for the perfect snack. Pepperoncini are on the pepper scale, but they don’t necessarily qualify as a hot pepper given the 100-500 ranking on the Scoville heating chart. They are low-calorie, low-carb vegetables packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which can help fight cancer and heart disease.
There are so many vegetables out there that are just waiting for you to try. What are some of your favorites?