Dozens of veggies have a particularly strong nutritional punch, according to recent studies. It is very easy to sneak them into your normal diet.
Beet Greens
The edible leafy tips of beetroots are bursting with vitamin K, which has been associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Your daily requirement is approximately doubled by one cup of raw food. Cooking tip: For a nutritious side dish, saute some delicate beet greens with some garlic and olive oil. Alternately, cut them and add them to pasta meals, soups, and frittatas.
Beets
Ruby red beets are a top supplier of nitrates, which help lower blood pressure, not to be surpassed by their tops. Beets also provide fiber and other minerals. Cooking tip: Roasting beets increases their sweetness naturally. Bake the beets at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they are soft. or omit the oven. Beets can be grated and added to slaws or used as a sandwich topping.
Microgreens
Good things can be found in modest packages. Radishes, cabbages, kale, and broccoli in their infant form may contain higher levels of vitamins C and E than their mature, typical counterparts. They have a variety of flavors, from tart to peppery. Cooking advice: Use microgreens as a garnish for soups or as an addition to sandwiches and salads.
Watercress
This spicy green, which is frequently overshadowed by arugula, can give any dish a nutritional boost. Vitamins A, C, and K, as well as other healthy antioxidants, are particularly abundant in them. Cooking tip: Watercress may instantly add flavor and vibrancy to sandwiches and salads. Alternatively, purée the greens into soups.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard comes in two primary kinds, one with white stems and veins and another with colorful stems and veins, both of which may be found on supermarket shelves. Both are excellent sources of the eye-healthy antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. The green monster is also good for your waistline because raw chard has only 7 calories per cup. Cooking advice: Lightly steam chard and combine it with vinaigrette to preserve its nutritious potency. When creating soft tacos, the leaves may also be used in place of the tortillas.
Clementine Greens
This traditional Southern food is packed with nutrients, particularly significant amounts of beta-carotene, folate, and vitamins K and C Cooking tip: Blanch the leaves briefly in boiling water, then cut them and incorporate them into salads with healthful grains or lentils.
Also Read: Super fruits: The Healthiest Foods Available
Asparagus
Asparagus, which has a sweet-earthy flavor, is a good source of folate. This B vitamin may be an ally in the fight against high blood pressure, according to research. Use a vegetable peeler to shave raw asparagus during cooking. Ribbons will be produced, which are excellent in salads.
Spinach
Healthy levels of the vitamins C, A, and K as well as manganese are present in this green. Including 1.5 cups of leafy green vegetables in your diet, each day may help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Cooking tip: Sneak spinach into your regular diet by including it in smoothies, scrambled eggs, and casseroles.
Baby Kale
Kale has been dubbed the ideal superfood because it is loaded with vitamins and minerals like beta-carotene, vitamin C, and bone-building vitamin K. Its robust flavor does not appeal to everyone. Introducing the newcomer baby kale. The young, delightfully soft kale leaves don’t need to be chopped. Cooking advice: In shops, look for baby kale packaged in plastic containers next to baby spinach. Use in salads, pasta recipes, and wraps.
Frozen Peas
A bag of green peas should always be kept in your freezer. Frozen peas provide an astounding 7.2 grams of fiber per cup. You eat less later because fiber makes you feel satisfied. Additionally, it improves digestion and lowers cholesterol. Use frozen peas in pasta recipes, potato salads, dips, and soups.
Bell Pepper, Red
Although you might consider it a vegetable, it’s actually a fruit. B vitamins, beta carotene, and 52 mg of vitamin C, almost twice as much as you need each day, are all present in one medium pepper. Cooking hint: To make a fancy main dish, chop the tops off the peppers, take out the seeds and the inside white membranes, and roast until they are soft. Fill up with your preferred whole-grain salad to finish.
Broccoli
One of nature’s rock stars is broccoli. It’s a major source of plant compounds that have been demonstrated to help reduce the risk of several cancers naturally (though many other things also affect your cancer risk). Additionally, the florets provide a good amount of vitamin C and K in each cup. The florets can be steamed for a quick side dish. Or, to disguise the flavor of the broccoli, add them to stir-fries, frittatas, or even smoothies that also contain naturally sweet ingredients like fruit.
