Whatever your relationship was with vegetables when you were a kid, it’s time to kiss and make up. They are your new best friends when it comes to eating healthfully. And there’s no shortage of them; I am always amazed by the incredible variety and sheer beauty the Earth produces for us every season. In fact, if you do your best to use vegetables that are in season, they will be at their peak flavor.
Vegetables contain phytonutrients, which are natural and beneficial compounds found in plants, as well as loads of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and all for very few calories. Some vegetables are better for you than others, but all vegetables are good for you (unless of course you have an allergy to them). You don’t have to like them all, but if you set one goal for yourself, make it “to eat more vegetables.” Vegetables can be eaten raw, roasted, steamed, blanched, sautéed, and grilled. You don’t have to be fancy, though. Even if you simply sauté or roast one vegetable a day with salt and pepper, I will be doing cartwheels for you.