Getting vegetables into your teenagers meals.

A recent study published by the CDC demonstrates that less than 10% of teenagers eat their recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

That is no surprise considering that school lunches are rich in meat and dairy,but and deficient in traditional fresh fruits and vegetables.

That said, how do parents and teen go about incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their diet?

1.) Eat more meals together: if you have a family meal at least once a day, then you know what you your children are eating.

2.) Include your teen in meal preparation: go shopping with them and encourage them to pick one new recipe with a new vegetable once a week.

3.) Make nutritious smoothies or shakes for breakfast with yogurt, soy milk and fresh fruits for a quick meal.

4.) Hide vegetables in pizza sauce, pasta sauce and even homemade pancakes.

5.) Try and new vegetable once a week. You and your teen may be surprised.