4 Easy and Delicious Meal Ideas to Eat More Vegetables (Even if You Eat Meat!)
All too often when veggies are mentioned in terms of weight management, a bowl of raw broccoli or plate of celery sticks come to mind. Yet, sustainable weight management doesn’t have to be so…bland. It also doesn’t mean giving up the comfort foods you love and enjoy eating. With LEAN CUISINE® veggie-forward meals, even meat lovers can agree that adding more veggies is not just easy, but delicious, too. Keep reading to discover a variety of ways to stock your freezer with meals that are so flavorful, you won’t even miss the meat!
1. Power Up with Protein in Pulses
We all know that working up a sweat and getting the heart pumping with a good workout can help with weight management, but we’re talking about a different type of pulse here. Beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas are known as pulses, which are protein rich staples that taste great when combined with vegetables. Our long time popular meatless entree, Santa Fe-Style Rice & Beans, features pulses such as black beans and half a cup of vegetables in a delicious sour cream and mild chile sauce. Rice and beans are a classic combination, and this convenient frozen meal never disappoints — especially for an easy grab-and-go dinner when you didn’t have time to meal prep. Serve it with chopped spinach and tomatoes on a plate and then add a squeeze of lime for a crunchy recipe hack delivering extra nutrients.
2. Get in On the Carb Conscious Bowl Trend
Besides being Instagram famous, there’s something so delightful about a veggie-forward meal in a bowl (especially when it is something other than a salad). A warm satisfying meal filled with flavorful vegetables and savory sauce such as our Garlic Parmesan Alfredo with Broccoli Cauli’Bowl is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Cauliflower pasta is a surprisingly easy option for managing your carb intake while also adding in veggies. It makes for a guilt-free way to indulge in a favorite dish, with fewer carbs than traditional pasta.
3. Spice up Meatless Meals with Mushrooms
Mushrooms get a bad rap. Perhaps you tried them once in your grandmother’s gravy and swore them off for life. But there’s never been a better time to give them another try. Their savory meat-like qualities and versatility add a satisfying umami-rich flavor to meals. If you’re on the fence about mushrooms, give our meatless LEAN CUISINE® entrée Spinach & Mushroom Pizza a try. It does not disappoint and with mushrooms as the star ingredient, you may discover a new favorite. Combine with a large salad and you’re all set!
4. Secretly Add Vegetables to Your Diet
If you love Italian food but think it’s off limits when it comes to weight management, think again! We’ve got you covered with Butternut Squash Ravioli, featuring one full cup of vegetables and Spinach Artichoke Ravioli with spinach leaves in a creamy parmesan sauce. Our take on these Italian classics are veggie-full of savory, decadent flavors. A vegetable Ravioli dish is a great way to add veggies into your diet while indulging in a satisfying comfort food you can feel good about.
It’s easy to eat more vegetables and achieve your weight goals when you keep an array of LEAN CUISINE® meals in your freezer. If you’re not sure where to find LEAN CUISINE®, check out our Where to Buy section to look for a store in your area.
