Health Tip: Eat More Fruits and Veggies

(HealthDay News) -- You should fill half of your plate with fruits and veggies at each meal, experts say. But that can be a challenge.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these creative suggestions for boosting consumption of fruits and vegetables:

• Keep a big bowl of fresh, brightly colored fruit in your kitchen.

• When you have a recipe for pasta, pizza, soup, salad, casserole or sandwiches, double the amount of fruits or veggies that are called for.

• Puree, shred or grate veggies into dishes such as rice, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and pasta sauce.

• Spice up your old recipes with a new vegetable.

• Use a big lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla or bread for a wrap. Stuff it with fresh veggies.