Don’t Forget to Eat Your Green Veggies in March and on St. Patrick’s Day

February 27, 2015

On St. Patrick’s Day, it is customary to wear green… So, why not eat green too? (And we’re not talking about just using green food dye to turn everything you eat green!)… Put away your green food coloring, and try eating some green veggies instead!

Popeye was right… Spinach and other healthy green veggies can do a body good! Green vegetables are great sources of fiber and they are typically low in calories. They also contain the antioxidant vitamins A, C and K, plus many other vitamins and minerals.

You can improve both your physical and mental health by adding more green vegetables into your diet. There are so many to choose from too.

Here is a list of the top green vegetables to add to your daily meals:

• Broccoli. It is very high in fiber and delivers a potent package of Vitamin C, Potassium, and Iron. Broccoli may help reduce the risk of cancer by being rich in carotenoids, which are antioxidants that are thought to “sponge up free radicals that promote cancer.”

• Spinach. It is a great source of Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and bone healing. Spinach may also help decrease inflammation in the body.

• Artichokes. Artichokes deliver loads of magnesium, folate, fiber and potassium. They promote muscle function, and help the liver produce bile, which helps your body process fatty foods.

• Asparagus. Asparagus contains a lot of Folate, which helps your body do away with homocysteine, an amino acid that contributes to cardiovascular disease.

• Celery. Celery contains fiber, folate, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It has a lot of the same nutrients found in other green vegetables, but in an “easy to eat” style. It is a fast snack and vehicle for healthy spreads such as peanut butter, almond butter, and raisins.

Tip: Steaming is the best way to retain nutrients in green vegetables; boiling, microwaving or stir-frying may leach some away.

Remember, if you’re not paying attention to your health today, you’ll be forced to pay attention to your illness tomorrow. Your bodies are the greatest tool you have, so be sure to fuel it properly. Have a great month of March and a happy and healthy St. Patrick’s Day!