We know we don’t eat enough vegetables. That’s because they just do not taste good. That’s what it really comes down to, right? However, we need those vegetables. I bet you didn’t know that eating fruit and vegetables at least three times a day instead of just once or not at all is strongly associated with 27% lower chance of stroke, 42% lower chance of stroke mortality and 25% lower CVD mortality. Not just the fruit. Fruit AND vegetables. Vegetables are important to, unfortunately but what if they tasted good? What if, just what if, there was a vegetable out there that you didn’t think of as a vegetable? What if it was so delightful, you could eat it at a tailgating party? I have one word for you: DIPS. That’s right, as in, chips and dip. Dip can be an exhilarating vegetable! We are going to go over salsa dips, fresh guacamole dips and hummus dips. Let’s go.
- Salsa Dips Think about salsa. Its just tomatoes! Along with some spices and other things of course, but if you make it fresh, it’s mostly tomatoes. You can also make pico de gallo salsa, which is onions, tomatoes, peppers, jalapenos, and other yummy vegetables mixed with cilantro and lime juice and whatever else you fancy. You could also whip up a southwestern salsa which also contains plenty of fresh veggies.
Fresh Guacamole Dips Now, here, I do stress fresh guacamole dips. Old guacamole is not appealing to anyone. Even if it hasn’t gone bad, that brown look just isn’t good for a party. Serve when those avocados are fresh, green and tasty. Chop up some fresh tomatoes and onion and throw them and you’re adding even more vegetables into the mix.
Hummus Dips One word: delicious. Plus, it can help you stay thin and trim. Can you believe that? It’s true! According to research, people who eat hummus and chickpeas had mass index and also smaller waist circumference than those who don’t.
Greek Yogurt Veggie Dips This one is for free. Tzatziki greek yogurt dip is one of my favorite in the world. Pair with cucumbers and you have a delectable snack! Put it in a gyro and you’ll be singing it’s praises all day long. The great thing about all natural yogurt veggie dips is that they have 67% less calories and 88% less fat than sour cream dips and they really don’t taste all that different.
There you have it; four dips that can change your life. Well, I suppose all they can do is change the way you view vegetables; which in reality, really could change your life. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines tell us it could. They agree with the suggestion to eat more vegetables and also beans because they aid in weight management and are also associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and inflammation. So, when I say these dips could change your life, I’m not lying. How will you dip? In terms of fresh guacamole dips? Hummus or salsa? Don’t forget about yogurt dips…
