Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a cornerstone of good health and vitality. They are a powerhouse that help control blood pressure and cholesterol, keep arteries flexible, protect bones, and are good for your eyes, brain, digestive system, and just about every other part of the body! Man of us however have trouble putting that knowledge into practice and getting five or more servings a day. Here are some ideas to get you past common barriers of preparation time, unfamiliarity, and old eating patterns.

Set a goal. If fruits and vegetables are minor players in your menu, start by enjoying one extra fruit or vegetable a day. When that becomes routine, add another and keep going.

Be sneaky. Add finely grated carrots or zucchini to pasta sauce, meat balls, chili or soup as an easy way to get an extra serving of vegetables.

Be a dipper. Try dipping cut-up celery, jicama, carrots or summer squash into hummus, spiced Greek yogurt or even a bit of ranch dressing.

Spread on. Try mashed avocado as a dip with sliced tomatoes or as a sandwich spread, topped with spinach leaves, tomatoes and a slice of low-fat cheese.

Add heat. Roasting vegetables is easy and enhances flavors. Cut up onions, carrots, zucchini, asparagus, turnips and coat lightly with olive oil. Add a dash of balsamic vinegar and roast at 350â—¦ until done. Use roasted or grilled vegetables as a side dish, put them on sandwiches or add them to salads.

Blend in. A fruit smoothie is a terrific way to start your day! Try adding colorful fruit like raspberries, blueberries, or mango to a base of low-fat milk with a touch of Greek yogurt.