6 reasons to eat vegetables

Vegetables are sometimes the most challenging foods to eat. They often lack the sweetness of sugary foods and usually require preparation and cooking time.

Here are 6 reasons why we should all eat our vegetables.

1. Vegetables have fewer calories instead of other calorie-heavy foods. They also have the advantage of leaving you feeling fuller for longer.

2. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body, such as: vitamins A and C, fibre, folate, and potassium.

3. Vegetables are an excellent source of dietary fibre, which can help to maintain a healthy gut and prevent constipation and other digestion problems.

4. A diet rich in vegetables can also reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer.

5. Vegetables have been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other forms of cancer.

6. Vegetables can be used to bulk-up meals, instead of using pasta or rice.

To make vegetables taste more delicious, consider the following ideas.

• Buy vegetables when they are in season. Often vegetables that are force-grown out of season, such as peas, broccoli and cabbage, can lack their natural flavour and sweetness.

• Forget steaming and boiling vegetables. Roasting vegetables is incredibly easy (just throw them on a sheet pan, add some seasonings, and let them cook), and makes them browned, flavoursome and perfectly crispy. The air fryer is also a fast way to "fry" your vegetables but also keep them healthy and crispy. Grilling gives your vegetables a nice smokey flavour and keeps them juicy too. Sautéing is also an easy method and is ideal if you don't want your vegetables to be crispy.

• Add herbs. Fresh or dried herbs pack a punch and can add a burst of flavour to any kind of food. Basil, dill, thyme and mint feel fresh and bright with raw or cooked vegetables.

• Add some spice. Even super fresh produce can benefit from a dash of spice and seasoning. Salt and pepper are absolute musts but for an added boost of flavour, try any kind of spice to add that extra element of flavour.

• Use some dip. Humous is the perfect accompaniment for raw carrot sticks and other vegetables.

• Make your vegetables the star the meal by stuffing them with something delicious. Stuffed peppers are a popular option, but you can also hollow out and stuff aubergines, mushrooms, squash, potatoes and artichokes.

Vegetables are important to eat, but the doesn't mean they need to be boring!