If you’re like me and find it difficult to get a balanced meal on your plate, try blending your food into a smoothie.

March is National Nutrition Month, which makes it an excellent time to try something new. If it’s hard for you get the vegetables you need, blend them in!

If you’re watching your refined sugar intake and adding sweetener is out of the question, you’re in luck. Smoothies use natural fruit. Just blend them in!

I have a smoothie recipe I use for dinner. Using water and crushed ice as my base, I add a serving of high-fiber protein powder, one banana, fresh spinach leaves, no-sugar-added applesauce and a tablespoon of peanut butter.

I’ve been able to control my weight better by drinking my smoothie in the early evening when I’ve had balanced meals throughout the day. It also satisfies my appetite so that I’m not mindlessly snacking during my evening TV time.

As a Quality Improvement Advisor at atom Alliance, I want to help you get the resources you need to live well and manage your health and healthcare. Go here for more resources, including ones found at Choose My Plate and Eat Right.

Corley Roberts, Quality Improvement Advisor, MHA, CPHQ, ACSM-HFS

Corley Roberts is an exercise physiologist and a certified Health Fitness Specialist. A published author and public speaker, she is founder of MyFitScript, a resource for education and exercise programs based on chronic disease and age. Corley currently works for Qsource, an atom Alliance member, as a Quality Improvement Advisor specializing in readmissions reduction.