Tips to increase fruits and vegetables intake

We all know that fruits and veggies ward off chronic conditions while helping us to feel healthier and more energized. But even for the most health-conscious eaters, getting more of these nutrients can be a challenge.

Here are some tips for increasing fruit and vegetable intake:

• Eat a new fruit or vegetable every day.
• Always have a bowl of fruit or vegetables in the refrigerator for snacks. It's easy to eat a small bowl of chopped broccoli or plum tomatoes while working, before dinner, or even while watching television.
• Some people eat only fruit in the morning, which seems to stop their craving for coffee and sweets. Check with your doctor first, but for many people, this is a good alternative.
• Eat vegetable soup.
• Challenge yourself to see how many different colored fruits and vegetables you can eat in a day.
• A juicer is a good way to get a few extra servings of fruit and vegetables. Try making a smoothie with low-fat ice cream.
• Bring a zip-locked bag of vegetables with you to work and snack on them during the day.