From reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and some cancers to helping you maintain a healthy body weight, you can't deny the health benefits of vegetables and fruits. But, research has shown that Americans simply don't eat enough. In fact 87% of Americans fall short on meeting their 2-3 cup recommendation for vegetables each day! (Source)

Vegetables are versatile, however, and they can be so easy to add to the foods you usually select each day. So, this March -- National Nutrition Month -- and all year round, aim to start your day on a healthy note. One delicious way of doing so is by enjoying vegetables for breakfast.

Here are 4 delicious ways you can enjoy vegetables for breakfast:

Pair Vegetables with Eggs

Eggs create a fluffy base for which you can add your crunchy, crispy, or soft vegetables. When making egg scrambles, simply add whatever roasted vegetables you have on hand (tomatoes, onions, peppers, root vegetables, etc.) and let the flavors and textures mingle together. Make them in a saute pan on the stove, in a cast iron skillet, or in a baking dish in the oven.

Check out these recipes for inspiration: Sunny Side Up Eggs with Vegetables, Make Ahead Baked Eggs, Shakshuka Skillet Eggs, 5 Ingredient Mexican Baked Eggs.

4 Delicious Ways to Eat Vegetables for Breakfast

Add Vegetables To Your Smoothies (Especially Brassica Vegetables!)

It's well known that you can add leafy greens (like kale and spinach) to your smoothies, but did you know that you could add Brassica vegetables too? Brassica vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower can easily be added to your high-speed blender to puree them into your favorite smoothies. Broccoli delivers glucoraphanin, a special antioxidant that can help boost your body's own detoxification system, and cauliflower delivers a creamy texture that puts some extra smoooooth in your smoothie!

Check out these recipes for inspiration: Banana Berry Peanut Butter Smoothie, Green Smoothie with Broccoli and Apple, Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie (great recipe but nix the imitation butter flavor, ick!), Chocolate Hazelnut Cauliflower Smoothie.

Make a Breakfast Wrap or Breakfast Burrito with Vegetables

Put tortillas, beans, veggies, and spices together and what do you get? Burritos! What's so great about burritos or breakfast wraps is that you can prep a large batch in advance, wrap each individual burrito in foil, pop them in the freezer in a resealable bag or glass container, then reheat during the week for a quick breakfast!

Check out these recipes for inspiration: Freezer-Friendly Roasted Vegetable Burritos with Black Beans and Rice, Chickpea Burritos with Vegetables, Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Burritos.

Add Vegetables to Your Pancakes

Give your flapjack some veggie flair! You can add pureed, grated, shredded, or mashed vegetables like sweet potato, zucchini, carrots, and beets to your pancakes to be enjoyed savory or sweet. After cooking, take your pancakes to the next level with produce by topping them with mashed/melted berries for sweetness or with plain Greek yogurt and scallions for something extra savory.

Check out these recipes for inspiration: Grain Free Chai Spiced Sweet Potato Pancakes, Zucchini Greek Yogurt Pancakes, Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Pancakes, Red Velvet Beetroot Pancakes

What is your favorite way to enjoy vegetables for breakfast? Share it with me in the comments below or let me know over on Facebook!