When living the healthy and fit lifestyle, it is important to remember that 80 percent of changing your body for the better comes from what you eat. Treat your body by feeding it vegetables and treat your taste buds by using these recipes that will make you love even the least-liked veggies. These recipes for hated vegetables are so great, even your picky 4-year-old will love them! (For more kid-approved healthy recipes, click here). So get cooking and fuel your body with goodness – It will thank you later.
- Brussels sprouts – We put these healthy veggies first because they are so widely disliked by people young and old. However, with this recipe, we believe that it is truly possible that these goodies become a staple in even the most avid Brussel sprout haters’ diets. New York Cooking provides this mouth-watering recipe with garlic and vinegar that brings out the rich, nutty flavor of the vegetables but cuts the bitterness that people dislike.
- Asparagus – This salty, cheesy, lemony dish will change your mind about asparagus forever. These asparagus spears by All Recipes are tender, salty, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Pair them with salmon or chicken and your life will get just a little more yummy and healthy too!
- Cauliflower – No more drowning your cauliflower in butter and cheese with this recipe from the Food Network that is equally as creamy and rich but without all those extra calories. This cauliflower dish imitates the comfort food taste of mashed potatoes and pairs perfectly with a meat and a green salad or topped with sautéed mushrooms. The butter on top is totally unnecessary, and for your health’s sake, we suggest you go without it. We promise, you wont regret giving this amazing dish a try.
- Broccoli – Chunks of broccoli are perfectly mixed into SheKnows’ asian-esque stir fry for an ideal blend of flavors delicious to even the pickiest palate. The small broccoli pieces absorb the flavors of the chicken and broth and become savory treats, but still retain their nutritional value. This dish works well for kids and adults alike!
- Tomato – Shockingly enough, there are tons of tomato-haters out there. However, the most common aversion to the red goodies only applies to them raw, while tomato sauce and ketchup are adored by all. Because of this, we are suggesting a cooked tomato dish that is both sweet and savory and absolutely fabulous. Eat Yourself Skinny brings us this healthy version of home-style tomato basil soup, which is perfect for a night in or a rainy afternoon, and is totally guilt-free (provided you don’t eat a ton of grilled cheese with it). Pair with whole wheat toast and a side salad and indulge!
- Mushrooms – Mushrooms are a tricky food, especially when you’re trying to get kids to eat them. This salty dish brought to us by AllRecipes however, acts as a perfect vehicle for any kind of mushroom (we love it with PortobelloS, too!) and is very well-received by many a shroom hater. If you like pickles, olives, or any other salty, vinegary foods, you will love these tasty morsels. Serve them hot as an appetizer or side, or serve them cold on top of a salad; however you serve them, make sure you have extra because everyone will be asking for seconds.
- Squash and zucchini – Creamy, cheesy, gooey… what more could you ask for in a hot dish? MyRecipes’ squash casserole is perfect for a holiday meal, and will keep everyone smiling. It is not only absolutely delicious, but is also light and won’t bog you down for the whole day. This ain’t your grandma’s casserole – it’s healthier!
- Spinach – Smoothies are a great meal when you’re trying to get a good dose of fruits and veggies. They are practically essential for living the HFR healthy lifestyle when you’re on-the-go. This tropical green smoothie from “Chew Out Loud” is sweet, delicious, all-natural heaven. The best part is, it tastes exclusively like mango, pineapple, and banana, with no detectable vegetable flavor. You have got to give it a try.
- Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes can be confusing to some people because it’s not clear whether they’re sweet or savory. With this dish from the Food Network, there will be no question. These babies are sweet enough to serve as a dessert. With honey and cinnamon, this dish tastes like autumn goodness. Pair with a meat and some cooked greens and drift away into bliss.
- Kale – These leafy greens are often pushed to the sides of plates due to their subtle bitterness, but they are too nutrient-packed to be avoided any longer! Try the Food Network’s fun recipe for BBQ kale chips that will leave your mouth-watering. With this yummy snack, you kill two health and fitness birds with one stone. You avoid an unhealthy, fatty snack (potato chips) AND you get all that wonderful fiber and vitamin power from the kale you used to hate.
Hungry for more? These nutritious recipes will be sure to sate your appetite.
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