I LOVE this marketing campaign!!

A group of carrot farmers has joined together and launched a $25 million ad campaign marketing baby carrots to kids and teens using the tactics of the junk food industry. This story from NPR gives all the campaign details and has the extremely awesome TV ad spot that will be running across the nation.

Will this help increase the disappointingly low consumption of vegetables in America? A report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently stated that in 2009, a dismal 26 percent of adults consumed 3 or more of the recommended at least 4 to 5 servings of vegetables each day. For the record, a serving of vegetables isn’t that large: a cup of leafy greens, a half cup of vegetables, or 4oz of vegetable juice. Vegetables (and fruits) contain numerous vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital to optimal health; they also contribute to achieving or maintaining a healthy weight.

How can you get more servings of vegetables into your diet?

Have vegetables become the focal point of your plate. Stir-frys, salads, and even soups are all great, satisfying ways to stuff tons of fresh produce into a meal. Use protein and whole grains as an accent.

Keep cut veggies around for snacking. Bean and yogurt dips like hummus and tzatziki taste just as delicious on top of a crunchy veggies like celery, carrots, and cucumbers as they do on artery clogging chips, minus the guilt, of course!

Try to eat vegetables at every meal. Put kale in your omelet. Make burger patties with spinach and tomatoes mixed in with the meat. Add sprouts, cucumbers, or any of your favorites to your standby iceberg lettuce and tomato slice combo on your sandwich. Add broccoli, eggplant, and zucchini to your pasta along with your red sauce. Where there’s a meal, there’s a way!

How do you make sure you get in your minimal four to five servings a day?