Just from the title alone, some of you may be thinking, “Yuck!” But I’m here to tell you the benefits of what these delicious green plants called vegetables can do for you and your body.
Dark green leafy vegetables are not only delicious but, calorie for calorie, they are the most concentrated source of nutrition found in any food. They are a rich source of minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium) and vitamins (including vitamins K, C, E, and many of the B vitamins). These veggies also provide a variety of phytonutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Pretty cool right?!
Some types of dark green leafy vegetables are: arugula, spinach, leaf lettuce, kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce, chicory, and swiss chard. You can do so many different things with these amazing veggies to incorporate them into your diet. I prefer to buy these types of vegetables at Farmers’ markets because I feel they are fresher and less expensive. Plus, at those markets you always come across some other great food choices and other really cool things. It is a great experience, and everyone is super friendly.
My favorite way to consume these dark green leafy vegetables is in a smoothie. I have a NutriBullet at home, and I mix these veggies with some fruit and a banana which fades out the taste of the vegetable so it tastes just like a fruit smoothie.
