There are sooo many GREAT reasons to eat your greens!
& if you're planning this upcoming year to improve your health, greens are a great addition in your diet. Below are just FIVE reasons to incorporate more of this goodness into your menu. And there are a variety of options...smoothies...powders...juicing...salads....soups...and just adding them to any of your regular ole' dishes will do!
& if you're planning this upcoming year to improve your health, greens are a great addition in your diet. Below are just FIVE reasons to incorporate more of this goodness into your menu. And there are a variety of options...smoothies...powders...juicing...salads....soups...and just adding them to any of your regular ole' dishes will do!
I've begun to eat more greens than ever before. I've added them to many of my breakfasts, lunches & of course keeping them at the dinner table. I've grown accustomed to their flavors. I'm getting used to buying big boxes of them at our grocery store. My kids are slowly getting used to them becoming more than a garnish :)
In the New Year I would like to try some more variety & even get into some juicing, but for now I'm enjoying where I'm at...
Scroll through my top FIVE list & feel free to share in the comments below how YOU are adding in your greens!
- Weight Loss
Simple...greens are a good source of fiber & of many macro & micro nutrients. Your body will feel more full & will stop sending endless signals for more food. Of course you will need to top off your meals with some lean protein & anti-inflammatory fats (think omega 3's for example), but the greens are a great way to fill er up!
- Skin & Elimination Support
Well, this is for many reasons. To put it simply--> greens contain a lot of minerals, vitamins, & even water in them. They have the necessary nutrients that promote healthy body elimination. They have the fiber to keep things moving in the elimination process. They are cleansing.So increasing greens are a great way to help support your body's daily detoxifying processes. Detoxifying can also help promote better health for our skin.
- B Vitamins & Water Soluble Vitamins
Fresh greens contain many of the B vitamins. Each type of green will contain a variety of the water soluble vitamins. Why is this important? Water soluble vitamins don't store up in the body like fat soluble ones do. So you need them EACH & every day for your body to function properly. Although you can find the B vitamins in a variety of foods, the greens are a low caloric & refreshing way to add them in. They also have so many other benefits that the B vitamin & water soluble factor is simply another reason to enjoy them...abundantly!
- Alkalizing & Refreshing
If you've followed any guru in the health industry you've probably heard the terms "alkaline" and "acidic". Basically the consensus is that foods that cause our body to become acidic lead to disease. Foods that cause us to become overly acidic are typically junk foods & overall any foods that 'clog' up our systems'. Ones that alkalize are believed to lead to improved health by helping our bodies to heal from within. Greens are among the top foods for alkalizing! Although many ideas & foods are debated in the health community, there's not too much negative rap for the greens. And that's a very, very good thing.
- Phytonutrients
Researchers have told us a lot about our daily allowances of vital minerals & vitamins that we must consume for optimum health. However, they are only just beginning to discover the benefits of the phytonutrients that all plant foods contain. This are like mini-nutrients that many believe add to vibrant health. (note: that's why taking a supplement is never as good as eating the REAL thing) Phytonutrients are believed to help the food to be digested, absorbed and assimilated properly. This we know for sure: those who eat higher plant diets fare better on a whole than those with heavy animal diets. Many attribute this to the abundance of phytonutrients in the plants.
So what are you waiting for?? Smoothies with some added spinach...add in some kale with your soups & stews....for breakfast tomorrow have a mixed greens salad & some hard boiled eggs on the side...the possibilities are endless. Feel free to share below...Rachael DeBruin R.H.N.
**Disclaimer--> Although I am writing about food as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, it is always advisable to receive ongoing competent medical advice from a professional.