Can Supplements Replace Vegetables?

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Can Supplements Replace Vegetables?

Vegetables may not be as instantly pleasing as sweets, but they're an essential part of your diet. Here's expert advice on adding veggies to your meals -- even if you hate them.

By Leah McLaughlin

"I hate vegetables. Can I take a supplement like Juice Plus+ instead?"

No. "No matter what the label says, a supplement cannot provide all the benefits of getting at least five servings of vegetables a day," says D. Milton Stokes, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and chief dietitian at St. Barnabas Hospital & Nursing Home in New York City.

Consider trying vegetables when they're in season; they'll be less bitter and more flavorful. If that doesn't work, get clever about including them where you won't notice them as much. Cut them up fine and toss with pasta or fold into ground beef when making burgers. And consider using salsa and hummus as condiments on sandwiches. "I like to grate zucchini and carrots and toss them into canned soups and omelets," says Stokes. "The possibilities are limited only by your willingness to experiment."

Originally published in Fitness magazine, December 2005.