Do you know that lovely dark green vegetables are great for our health?
Though not typically appreciated for their taste, these veggies are loaded with wholesome goodness that will keep you healthy and fit. Many of these veggies are easy to grow and you can actually have a harvest in your kitchen.
This is what makes these glorious edibles so irresistible. However, if you are no gardener or have no interest in growing your own food, you can buy them fresh from farmer’s markets also.
According to research, green leafy vegetables are some of the healthiest foods you can eat, but many of us don’t always look forward to preparing them.
There are many health benefits to eating greens, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. They are also low in calories, but extremely high in important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
Here are the 15 healthiest green vegetables that you should try this summer:
1. Collard greens
These leaves can be eaten raw or cooked in which they taste great especially when combined with other vegetables. Collards are high in vitamin C, A, K, magnesium, and calcium. It’s one of the best vegetables to eat daily.
Also read: List of top 10 foods for better health.
2. Kale
This vegetable is definitely one of the healthiest green vegetables out there, but it might be too strong for some consumers because of its bitter taste. However, kale contains many nutrients including vitamins A, K, and C as well as calcium. You can blanch them and have a bowl full of delicious salad.
3. Spinach
One of the most versatile vegetables out there, spinach can be eaten raw in salads or cooked with other ingredients including meats and sauces. Spinach is known for its high levels of iron which is an important nutrient for pregnant women, but also vitamin A and folic acid.
4. Swiss chard
Swiss chard is another great type of healthiest green vegetables that contains high levels of vitamins such as A, K, and C. Studies show that Swiss chard can help to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. It’s one of the best vegetables for diet.
5. Romaine lettuce
If you do not think you like eating greens then it’s probably because you haven’t tried romaine yet. This leafy vegetable has a crispy texture and a sweet taste.
Romaine contains calcium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K.
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6. Avocado
Surprised? This fruit is technically a vegetable that can be extremely tasty when mashed up into guacamole or other dishes. Avocados are high in folic acid, potassium, and vitamin K as well as several healthy fats to promote heart health. Also it’s one of the best fruits and vegetables to eat daily.
7. Green beans
Green beans are great roasted or steamed and seasoned with salt and pepper. They’re extremely high in vitamin C as well as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. You can have them in salads, as a side dish of your favorite steak, and also as a curry.
8. Cucumbers
This is one of the healthiest green vegetables that can be eaten raw or prepared into a salad. The cucumber’s skin contains silica which has been shown to boost skin health and prevent wrinkles. Ever tried cucumber smoothie? Believe us, you are missing on both taste and health.
9. Asparagus
Another great healthiest green vegetables for a summer salad, asparagus is filled with antioxidants and vitamin A. It also contains several B-complex vitamins that have been shown to reduce cancer risk.
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10. Green peas
Peas can be eaten raw, steamed, or mashed into a soup, stew, or casserole dish. They’re extremely high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C as well as iron. They are delicious and make a quick meal if you are late from the office and do not want to order pizza.
11. Bok choy
Bok choy is a leafy vegetable that can be used in stir fry or other dishes. It’s important to steam this type of green for just several minutes because it contains vitamin K that can be easily destroyed by heat.
Also read: List of anti-cancer foods to include in your daily diet.
12. Cabbage
This vegetable is extremely important for disease prevention as it contains vitamin C, folic acid, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It is great for weight loss also. It aids in weight loss also as you can have cabbage soup and lose pounds within a few weeks.
13. Lettuce
There are many different types of lettuce which include romaine, Boston Bibb, iceberg, butterhead, and red leaf to name a few. All types of leaf lettuce are extremely high in vitamin A and folic acid. These are some of the great healthiest green vegetables.
Also read: List of vegetables to grow at home.
14. Broccoli
Another great green vegetable to try this summer is broccoli which can be eaten raw, steamed, or cooked into dishes like soups and stews. According to research, broccoli contains glucoraphanin which can help fight against certain types of cancer, boosts skin health, and boost immunity.
15. Kohlrabi
Last but not least healthy vegetables in our list. This vegetable has a crunchy texture that is similar to water chestnuts or hearts of palm, but it tastes sweeter than both of those ingredients. Kohlrabi is an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. But it is an uncommon vegetable that many people do not know about.
You may not be able to get all of these 20 healthiest vegetables but you can definitely try quite a few of them.
