You know that you should eat your greens but sometimes are you guilty of saying no to them, especially if you’re at a restaurant or at a friend’s house for dinner?
To stay healthy and I mean healthy then there should be absolutely no excuses, you should be including them in your everyday diet whether that be at lunch, dinner or a green drink first thing in the morning.
They not only taste good but they’re also packed full of nutrients that your body needs and will thank you for. You’ll also find magnesium in the green stuff which is an important mineral for energy production; it also reduces PMS and helps to regulate your body’s pH balance. They are packed full of vitamins B, C, E, and K.
Vitamin K helps regulate blood clotting in your body and protects against osteoporosis.
They are also packed full of fiber and are extremely easy to digest.
What more can you ask for….
Here are a few of my favorites that I hope you enjoy as much as I do.
Kale
Kale is part of the cabbage family and comes in green or dark purple, depending on the variety. It’s packed full of nutrients including Vitamins A, C and K as well as calcium and potassium. Kale is also one of the healthiest vegetables out there. I especially like kale stir-fried for a minute or two with garlic and Wild Alaskan salmon. You can also steam kale and if you prefer you can eat it raw.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard has red stems and veins on its leaves. It has a similar taste to beets and is ranked high in the list of healthiest vegetables. Swiss chard also contains vitamins A, C and K. Unlike a lot of vegetables I recommend that you boil Swiss chard for 3 minutes to help reduce its concentration of oxalic acid which has been shown to bind with calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium and potassium in the intestine, which interferes with their absorption. It has also been linked with the formation of kidney stones. Don’t let that put you off, avoid eating it raw and boil it instead.
Spinach
Spinach is packed full of vitamins A, C, E and K. It also contains magnesium and iron. You can have spinach in many different ways. I like it on the side of my scrambled eggs; you can also throw some in a stir-fry, salad and also in a smoothie. You can’t taste it in a smoothie if you add fruit as the power of the fruit takes away the bitterness of the spinach but you do get a lovely green color. A power packed green drink that’s great for the morning is spinach, cucumber, celery, spirulina and an apple; it sets you up for the day.
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce which is a head forming lettuce has deep green, long leaves with a crisp texture and deep taste, it’s also known as cos lettuce. It’s packed full of vitamins A, C and K and dietary fiber. Use Romaine lettuce instead of bread when you next make a sandwich. Take 4-6 leaves and fill them full of albacore tuna, cucumber and green onions or a sliced free range organic turkey breast, cucumber and green onions.
The next two greens are fantastic for you and I highly recommend them in the form of supplements which you can buy in your local health food store.
Spirulina
Spirulina is an aquatic plant has been consumed by humans since prehistoric times. It was first discovered growing on lakes in Mexico and Central Africa. It’s packed full of protein, vitamins B12 and A. It’s also full of essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Spirulina is great for protecting your immune system. I buy Spirulina in powder form which I add to my green drink in the morning.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass helps with digestion, blood flow and is great as a detox. It’s known as a super-food as it provides you with energy and helps in times of increased stress or illness. Wheatgrass comes in powder form or you can go to your local juice bar and have a shot of it, it definitely doesn’t taste great but the health benefits far out way the taste.
Eat your greens or drink your greens whatever you prefer but make sure that you include them in your daily diet. Your body will thank you by rewarding you with a healthy body and a flat stomach.
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