Better Homes And Gardens Stacked Summer Vegetable Salad
28 green vegetables that are great for your health
Anyone who has even a little bit of knowledge on nutrition knows that vegetables, and in particular green ones are crucial to a healthy lifestyle. They are the some of best foods you can eat, if you are looking to improve your overall health.
Green vegetables are nature's multivitamin and are packed with antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamins A, C & K, calcium, potassium and iron, to name a few.
These nutrients are necessary for maintaining many different processes in your body, including reducing levels of bad cholesterol, improving your vision, helping to manage your weight and boosting your immunity. Additionally, they are an excellent source of fiber and water, which keep your digestive system in check. Now, everyone who knows me already knows that I take my super green foods powder religiously (or the more expensive version if I'm splurging for the month). The greens powder supplies a solid helping of organic greens, probiotics and prebiotics, fiber, naturally created vitamins & minerals and more. But… even though I take a couple of scoops of this a day, it's still pretty dang important to also consume real fresh green vegetables along with it. It's such a no-brainer, and you'll feel great for making the switch.
Below is a list of 28 of the best green vegetables (in no particular order) that you should be eating more of (my favorite being #24).
1. Kale
Kale has often been considered by many people to be the most healthy food on the planet, and rightly so. Personally, I have never been a huge fan of eating kale on its own – I simply don't like the taste. However, kale can be used in many different ways in the kitchen; one such way is to use it in smoothies, which I have been doing a lot recently. If you are stuck for kale recipe ideas, check out this book.
Kale is a powerhouse of nutrition. Eat one cups worth and you will get 3g of protein (yes you read that right!), 206% of your RDA of vitamin A, 134% of your RDA of vitamin C and 684% of your RDA of vitamin K. All of this for just 33 calories.
2. Spinach
Popeye loves his spinach and you should to – it will make your body much stronger. The consumption of spinach has been associated with prevention of cancer and asthma, lowering of blood pressure, promoting healthy looking skin & hair and the management of diabetes.
This study even showed that consuming a shake containing spinach in the morning could have a significant effect on hunger and help to promote weight loss.
I love to eat my spinach steamed as a side dish, but you can also use if as part of a salad or in soups. For inspiration, check out this book on 40 delicious and nutritious spinach recipes.
3. Swiss chard
Swiss chard (or simply chard) is a big part of Mediterranean cuisine. The stems of the leaf come in an array of different colours including pink, yellow, white and green, making it a wonderful addition to the kitchen.
Similar to kale and spinach, it is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in nutrients, the main ones being vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, copper and manganese.
Swiss chard also contains kampferol, a substance that helps protect your heart, and syringic acid, which helps with blood sugar control.
4. Artichokes
Artichokes go well in salads, baked dishes or as sides. One recipe that I especially enjoy is this artichoke dip; it's simple to make and delicious.
Artichokes contain a vast number of nutrients that benefit your health. The most notable ones are quercetin, which helps fights off cancer, silymarin, which could assist in liver tissue regeneration and rutin, which promotes cardiovascular health.
5. Broccoli
When you were a child, you would either love or really hate broccoli. I can understand why many youngsters wouldn't want to eat these "mini-trees" – to some, they just don't appeal to the taste buds. Luckily for me, I quite enjoyed the taste of broccoli, even when it was only served steamed, on its own.
1 cup of chopped up broccoli contains 3 g of protein, 2.4 g of dietary fiber, 135% of your RDA of vitamin C and 14% of your RDA of folate. It assists with your digestive, eye & heart health, fights cancer & aging and prevents many chronic diseases.
6. Rapini
Rapini, also known as broccoli rabe, plays a big part in Italian, French and Portuguese cuisine. Similar to broccoli, it is full of beneficial nutrients including vitamins A and B6.
Consuming rapini has been linked with a reduced risk of colon cancer, the protection and repair of DNA and the prevention of stroke.
You can steam, stir fry or roast it, which makes it a very versatile ingredient in many different dishes.
7. Asparagus
Also know as the spear of the vegetable world, asparagus is usually considered to be a delicacy.
One of the major benefits of eating asparagus is its unique anti inflammatory properties. The main substances that assist with this functionality are asparanin A, sarsasapogenin, protodioscin, and diosgenin, also known as saponins.
It is also rich in anti oxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamin E, all of which help to fight off free radicals that cause damage to cells in your body.
8. Collard greens
Many people who don't live in the United States will be unfamiliar with collard greens. But these large green leafy vegetables bring with them many different health benefits.
They are not as popular as spinach and broccoli, so not much scientific research has been done on them individually. However they have been assessed as a member of a larger group, the cruciferous vegetables, and one of their main benefits that stands out is their ability to fight off cancer.
Also, one study showed that consuming collard greens was 13% more effective at lowering cholesterol than a prescription drug called Cholestyramine.
9. Celery
Celery is one of the least calorie dense foods on the planet; in fact it comes in number 5 in terms of lowest calories in our healthy food finder. The main reason for this is because it is mainly made up of water; 95% to be precise.
However, with that being said, the remaining 5% is very nutritious. Celery helps to reduce inflammation, aids digestion, reduces bad cholesterol and is an awesome snack for people who are trying to lose weight (dip it in some hummus!).
Use celery as an ingredient for smoothies, vegetable juices or to add some crunch in a rustic salad.
10. Leeks
You may have heard of and even used leeks to make leek and potato soup; I think this is the dish that they are most famous for. Leeks are certainly not a big part of my diet but I do tend to eat them every once in a while, especially when they are in season.
Like many of the foods on this list, they are rich in vitamin K, which is responsible for the clotting of blood and strengthening of bones.
11. Kohlrabi
I am guessing that more likely than not, you haven't heard of Kohlrabi. I certainly hadn't, I only found out about it recently, when I was doing some research for our list of 140 healthiest foods.
It is also known as turnip cabbage or the German turnip, and is a member of the brassica family (other members include kale, broccoli and cauliflower). The brassica family has been shown to be effective in fighting off many different types of cancers.
12. Purslane
Purslane is most likely readily available in your back yard and for many garden owners, it's a nuisance. That's because purslane is also a weed – a very nutritious and healthy weed.
It is native to India, however is common worldwide and eaten by many. The great thing about it is that it can grow just about anywhere.
Purslane has been shown to have neuroprotective (brain) and hepatoprotective (liver) effects. Additionally, studies have shown that it even has anti-tumour effects.
13. Mustard greens
Another member of the Brassica family, mustard greens have been shown to help prevent cancer. They are rich in vitamin K, and one cup also contains a large amount of vitamin A, which is good news for your eyes. Additionally, they contain lots of antioxidants, help to detoxify the liver and also lower cholesterol.
One cup of cooked mustard greens contains only 21 calories, which makes it an excellent weight loss food. You can stir fry or steam it and add it to pasta dishes.
14. Scallions
Scallions are also known as spring onions and are used in many different dishes worldwide. Compared to regular onions, they contain more fiber, vitamin C and potassium.
Some health benefits associated with scallions are their ability to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and help protect from lung and oral cancers.
You can use them in stir fries, salads and soups.
15. Watercress
Watercress contains just 11 calories per 100g, making it the least calorie dense food on the planet that I have come across so far. However, it is very nutrient dense and contains the largest natural amounts of PEITC or phenylethyl isothiocyanate. A study has shown that this compound helps to fight off cancer.
Watercress is often used to combat coughs, flu and bronchitis. It is also very versatile in terms of how it can be eaten.
16. Zucchini
Zucchini, also known as courgette, looks like a cucumber but is in fact a summer squash. It is a common pizza topping and is popular with vegans.
Zucchini is a great source of potassium and B vitamins and is low in calories. Summer squash in general are rich in antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory and blood sugar benefits and support prostate health.
17. Okra
Okra, which is also known as ladies' fingers or gumbo, is a flowering plant used in Indian, African and Caribbean cuisine. It is delicious when roasted, fried or even pickled and is a fantastic addition to dishes like stir fries and curries.
Studies carried out on diabetic rats showed that okra helped lower blood sugar and fat levels, both of which are important for the management of the disease.
Another study has also shown that okra helps your digestive health.
18. Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the most common ingredients used in burgers, sandwiches and salads. Did you know that McDonald's is the largest purchaser of lettuce? No wonder this leafy vegetable is so popular worldwide.
Lettuce comes in many different forms including Romaine and iceberg. It is mainly made up of water but does contain significant amounts of potassium, vitamin A and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Use it as the base ingredient for many different salads or as part of a green smoothie.
19. Green beans
Green beans are a delicious, nutritious & ubiquitous vegetable. Sold canned, frozen & fresh, and a great addition to a range of dishes from lasagnas to roasts, these beans are great stir-fried, steamed or baked.
Green beans are high in carotenoids, namely beta-carotene and lycopene. Both of these substances have antioxidant properties which means they are great at fighting off disease.
Research has also shown that green beans provide benefits to your cardiovascular health.
20. Dandelion greens
Dandelions are best known for being attractive weeds, thanks to their bright yellow flowers; but they are often a gardener's worst nightmare.
What is less well known about dandelions however, is that they are edible. Additionally, they host a myriad of health benefits, particularly in the green parts of the plant – the dandelion greens.
Dandelions have been shown to be able to alleviate andropause symptoms, fight leukemia cells and promote liver health.
21. Fennel
Delicious when eaten raw or slow cooked, in salads or in pasta dishes, fennel is a plant with a strange and unique taste and a number of health benefits.
There is some evidence that fennel may help with the treatment of glaucoma, a condition that causes gradual loss of sight. One study also showed that fennel oil had remarkable effects on the treatment of colic in babies.
Additionally, it may have some benefits when it comes to lowering blood pressure.
22. Endive
Endive is a leaf vegetable belonging to the chicory genus, which places it alongside foods such as radicchio, sugarloaf and the Belgian endive. It looks a bit like Romaine lettuce but tastes somewhat different.
Endive is a good source of kaempferol, which provides protection from blood vessel damage and protects from cancer.
23. Cabbage
Cabbage is a very low-calorie & nutritious vegetable and can be eaten & cooked in many different ways. It is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables and has many nutritional benefits, mostly due to its high levels of vitamin C & K.
Cabbage has been associated with a number of health benefits as well, from helping reduce inflammation to protection against colon cancer.
Two common ways that I eat cabbage is to use it in soups and stir fries.
24. Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts shouldn't just be eaten as a part of Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner. They are a great way of incorporating those super healthy Brassicas which we mentioned earlier on, into your diet.
Brussels sprouts are a rich source of dietary fiber, with one cup containing 3.3 g. Fiber helps keep you feeling full, is great for your digestive system and also helps lower levels of cholesterol.
25. Arugula
Also known as rocket, arugula has a peppery flavour and is used in sauces & salads. Arugula is rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin A.
It also contains a compound called erucin, and a study showed that it is effective at fighting against tumours.
26. Bok choy
Bok choy is one of my favourite leafy green vegetables to eat, simply because I am a huge fan of oriental cuisine. It is also known as pakchoi or Chinese cabbage and is a food popular in Southeast Asia.
It is an excellent source of calcium, iron and alpha-linoleic acid. Bok choy is a member of the Brassica family and is great at fighting off cancer.
I love using it in stir fries as it adds an awesome flavour and texture when cooked.
27. Green bell peppers
Bell peppers are special because they come in different vibrant colours, making them a delight to choose at the farmers market. I usually add them to omelettes and quiches.
A recent study showed that mice who ate a high-fat diet which was supplemented with green pepper juice experienced less weight gain than those that did not receive the supplement. Even though the test was carried out on mice, similar effects could possibly be experienced in humans.
28. Beet greens
Many people eat the root of this plant (also known as beetroot) and throw away the greens. I definitely have been guilty of doing this and only stopped when I found out just how healthy and nutritious the green part of the plant is.
One cup of beet greens contains large amounts of vitamin K, copper and iron. It is also a great source of many other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they contain lots of fiber, beta-carotene and lutein.
Conclusion
Green vegetables bring a lot of benefits to your health and as you can see from this article, you are spoilt for choice when deciding which ones to add to your diet.
If you don't already, start making it a habit of eating at least one portion of green vegetables a day and you will soon notice the positive effects that doing so has on your health!
Better Homes And Gardens Stacked Summer Vegetable Salad
Source: https://www.healthsomeness.com/best-green-vegetables/
Posted by: thiesputed1978.blogspot.com
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