There are a variety of benefits to including leafy greens in your diet. They contain a multitude of vitamins, high levels of fiber, and antioxidants. There are studies that show that diets high in leafy greens can help reduce the risk of some forms of cancer, and there are other health benefits like better digestion, facilitating weight loss and healthy weight maintenance.
You can find a variety of leafy greens at your local supermarket, but some of the most common include spinach, kale, mixed greens, Swiss chard, and collard greens. The best part about these luscious, leafy veggies is that you can do so much more with them than just making a salad! (Although, we do love a leafy green salad here at MLC).
So, what are some sneaky ways to include a serving of leafy greens in to your daily diet? Here are our favorites:
- Make a green smoothie: Sneak spinach in to your morning smoothie to provide a serving of veggies in your morning meal! No matter what your favorite smoothie flavor is, you can add a handful of spinach without drastically changing the flavor.
- Use it as a wrap: Looking for a low-carb version of a sandwich? Use larger leafy greens, like kale, as a wrap for your sandwich. Add your favorite deli meat, cheese, and toppings, and you’ve got a tasty, low-carb lunch.
- Add greens to soups: Because soups cook at a high temperature and for longer periods of times, tougher greens like collards and kale have the opportunity to break down and become easier to chew. It’s as easy as adding greens to your favorite soup recipe – no new recipes needed.
- Stir-fry your greens: Making a stir-fry is a great, quick, easy way to cook up a healthy weeknight meal. Add your favorite greens – or even try something new, like bok choy – in to your stir fry to sneak in an extra serving of veggies that’s full of flavor.
Of course, you can include greens in traditional raw methods, like salads, or traditional cooked methods, like steaming or sautéing, if that’s how you prefer them!
Don’t forget to comment below with your favorite leafy greens recipes or tips!
