How to disguise veggies in a diet

Just as sometimes it is hard to get little ones to eat veggies, it can also be a battle getting your client to eat enough of the ‘green stuff.’ You know it’s good for them, but they resist in every way possible, and you worry that they are simply not getting enough nutritious food in their diet.

Many older clients have poor appetites at the best of times, so getting them to eat any decent number of vegetables is a bonus.

Let’s look at some ways to disguise veggies

Blitz them

This may be the easiest way to smuggle veggies into a diet. Carrots, courgettes, pumpkin, and spinach are all excellent candidates for popping in the liquidizer and making into a sauce or a smoothie. You can add them to cakes and loaves, scrambled eggs, meatloaves, shepherd’s pies, and soups.

Add to pasta sauce or pizza toppings

If your client enjoys pizza, then add a few more veggies to the topping. Vegetables made into a sauce will pair well with pasta, and with any meat you choose, will make a nutritious meal.

Use strong-flavoured veggies to hide others

If your client likes a curry every so often then use strong flavours to hide ingredients like carrots and cauliflower. A strong cheese will conceal mashed carrot and sweet potato when topped and baked, and stews can always take any number of veggies which are simmered down until they are soft.

Hide those veggies

Finely chopped veggies can be added to baked pasta dishes, making them more nutritious to eat. They can also be added to dishes like Macaroni cheese and muffins.

Try a new dish

While many of our clients will be stuck on their ‘traditional meals’ there will be some clients who will be happy with a new dish every so often. This is your opportunity to add finely chopped veggies. Add spinach to your lasagna or add extra veggies to an omelette. Even muffins can have veggies added to them without it being too obvious.

Final thoughts

There are several ways to hide vegetables, and it is well worth trying some of them. While most clients may have small appetites, it is important that the food they eat is nutritious and enjoyable.

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