Try this experiment: Take a piece of paper and make three columns. In the first column, list the meals or snacks you ate yesterday. In the second, list the veggies or fruits (if any) that were part of each meal or snack. In the third, write what could have been included. Here’s a sample:

Then, put it into practice. Try sneaking in a fruit or veggie into as many meals or snacks as you can. This is not a suggestion to replace food (you can, but let’s start small). It’s a way for you to do one of the most powerful things you can do for your health: start getting your daily requirement of fruit and vegetables. It might be easier than you thought.

There are lots of ways to help you get your requirement. Here are 10 to get you started:

• Add broccoli to your pasta dish
• Ask for grilled asparagus with your entrée
• Order a veggie sandwich or wrap
• Thaw a serving of frozen fruit overnight for use the next day
• Make low fat spinach dip on Friday night
• Have a parfait for dessert
• Have the roasted beet appetizer
• Add two thick tomato slices to your sandwich
• Serve your entrée or side on a bed of greens
• Dress your salmon, tuna or chicken with wild blueberries

Trying the fruit and veggie experiment could change the way you look at food. It could even change your life.