Given that green is the theme on St. Patrick’s Day, we thought we’d use this as a timely reminder to eat your greens and challenge you to get an extra serving every day this week.
Incorporating green vegetables into your diet is essential for obtaining vital nutrients that support brain function, reduce inflammation, regulate blood glucose levels, support gut health, detoxify the body, and contribute to healthy aging.
Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens are particularly nutritious as they contain high levels of iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, E, and K.
Additionally, the antioxidants in green vegetables protect cells and reduce inflammation, and the fiber content aids in regulating the digestive system and promoting bowel health.
That said, there are no two ways about it: vegetables can be dang dull, and covering our salads in fatty dressings undermines the benefits of eating healthy in the first place.
Want to get more greens into your diet? Check out our five ideas for secretly dialing up your intake below!
1. Add Baby Spinach To Your Good Stuff Smoothie
Adding a handful of spinach to your smoothie offers numerous health benefits. Spinach is rich in fiber, folate, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K.
It is high in antioxidants that prevent oxidative damage and promote overall eye health, protecting the eyes from damaging UV light. Throw in a serving of The Good Stuff™, and you’ve got yourself a smoothie that packs an almighty antioxidant punch.
2. Add Baby Spinach To Your Pesto
You’d be surprised how much spinach you can add to your pesto for an extra dose of tasty goodness and how easy pesto is to make at home. Try this five-minute recipe on your favorite pasta or salad, or use it as a dip with veggie sticks!
3. Experiment with Veggie Noodles
We know this one’s controversial. Nothing ever comes close to replacing real pasta.
However, veggie noodles can be refreshing and delicious in their own right! Use a mandoline slicer to cut zucchini, carrots, spaghetti squash, or sweet potatoes.
Veggie noodles are low in carbs but high in nutrients and can be paired with sauces and meat for a nutritious meal.
4. Add Spinach To Your Omelet
This one's pretty self-explanatory, but a bunch of spinach leaves is such an easy addition to your morning omelet. Feel free to add more than you think you need - spinach really wilts down to a much smaller size when heated.
5. Do Some Creative Baking
There are plenty of baking recipes like this Banana Bread With Spinach and these Spinach Muffins with Banana that allow you to get more vitamins and minerals into your sweet treats without sacrificing on flavor.
They're the perfect accompaniment for your delicious, antioxidant-rich Organic Arabica Coffee!
