Make healthy eating easier by incorporating these leafy greens! Add them to omelettes, salads, or entrees to increase your daily intake of important nutrients. Continue reading to learn more about six of the healthiest leafy greens and why they are important for your diet!
Kale is becoming well-known as a superfood. It’s deserving of this title as it is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet! Kale can be green or purple, and have a smooth or curly shape. It is related to cruciferous vegetables. The kale you are most likely to see in stores is the curly kale, which has curly leaves and a hard stem. Kale is an excellent source of vitamins A, K, and C. It is a good source of vitamin B6, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium. It is also packed with antioxidants that help manage blood pressure, are anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antidepressant.
Chard is a lesser-known, but no less important, leafy green. Swiss chard has a taste that is similar to that of beets. Its texture is soft and perfect for sauteing. Chard is a good source of vitamins A and C. Chard also contains antioxidants like anthocyanins, which are anti-inflammatory compounds that can protect against type 2 diabetes. People who have a high consumption of this compound have lower insulin resistance and better blood glucose levels.
Collard greens are popular for their cholesterol-lowering benefits. Collards have a chewy texture and a cabbage-like taste. Collards are often prepared steamed. When steamed, the cholesterol-lowering benefits actually increase, so steamed preparation is a great way to eat collards. You can also use them as a wrap, in place of a tortilla. The texture is perfect for it!
Arugula is popular with a lot of athletes and those who enjoy high-performance activity. Arugula has the highest nitrate levels of any leafy green, which helps increase blood flow. Arugula can be slightly bitter, but it is great added to a salad with a vinaigrette to balance the flavor. Arugula is packed with flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can fight heart disease and some types of cancers.
Romaine lettuce is a common sight in salad bars and pre-mixed salad greens. It is great to use for crunch in lunch salads, or as a lettuce wrap. Romaine has high levels of folic acid and Vitamin B.
Spinach is one of the most popular leafy greens, and it deserves the attention. Spinach contains vitamins A and C, and folate. Spinach can be added to salads, omelettes, entrees, soups, or stews. When heated, spinach actually becomes more nutritious, because the heat reduces the leaf’s oxalate content, which allows for easier absorption of the dietary calcium.
Implement these leafy greens into your diet to promote your healthy weight loss. It will help you feel healthier overall and improve your daily intake of important nutrients! Also, consider implementing a supplement containing Gymnema Extract from InterHealth. It is an all-natural supplement derived from the Gymnema plant leaves. It has been shown to contribute to healthy weight loss.