Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or just want to eat a bit healthier, adding more greens to your diet can be a worthy challenge. The key to creating a meal plan full of nutritious greens is choosing recipes and cooking methods that will help bring the delicious flavors of the greens to life.
Leafy greens like kale, spinach and arugula are the superheroes of the veggie world. They're low in calories, yet high in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Indulging in greens on a daily basis can have incredible health benefits. While it's ideal to receive the fantastic benefits of greens from natural, whole foods, not all veggies are always readily available. Whether you choose to eat greens in their complete form, in a powder, or packed into a smoothie, these superfoods have the power to help you feel and look better. Now, if you still need convincing, read on to discover some of the reasons you should be eating greens daily.
Why You Should Eat Greens Daily
They Can Boost Your Energy
Have you ever experienced the dreaded mid-day slump? You've been feeling great all morning and then suddenly, right around noon, your energy takes a hit. Greens can help with that! By adding flavorful greens to your breakfast, you can provide your body with the essential vitamins and minerals needed to stay energized all day long—or at least until your next meal. Vitamins like B vitamins and folate found in greens work to keep your body running as it should, which can result in you feeling more alert and energized. The next time you sit down to plan out your meals, make sure that you're incorporating enough greens into your diet.
They Can Save You Money
Contrary to popular belief, natural, wholesome food doesn't have to cost a lot! In fact, fruits and veggies are often reasonably priced, and using these whole foods to make your weekly meals may end up saving you a fair amount of money in the long run. When searching for the best-priced veggies, it is best to purchase those that are in season. Vegetables that are in season are often better priced as they don't have to be shipped from far, and there is no shortage of the food. So, the next time you head to the grocery store, be sure to fill up your cart while wholesome veggies. You'll watch your nutrition go up as your grocery bill goes down!
You May Boost Your Health
If you're looking for a simple healthy swap to make in your diet, then start by adding more veggies to your meals. Eating veggies is an essential part of a healthy diet. When you begin to indulge in more nutrient-rich greens like spinach and kale, your health will undoubtedly benefit. Veggies don't have to be boring! There are several ways you can begin to sneak vegetables into your diet without even noticing.
Keep scrolling to discover ten delicious ways to eat more greens!
Delicious Ways to Eat Your Greens
Sometimes even the healthiest of eaters, don't feel like a salad—and that's okay! There are numerous delicious ways that you can eat your greens without ever having to make a salad again. Check out these creative ways to incorporate more leafy greens into your diet.
Smoothies
Undoubtedly one of the easiest—and most delicious—ways to get your recommended daily intake of veggies is by adding them to a smoothie. Because of their quick prep time, smoothies are a fantastic way to pack a bunch of vitamins and nutrients into an easy-to-make meal. Add your favorite greens to an immunity-boosting smoothie like this Green Machine Booster, or enjoy one packed with protein and make this Green Goodness Protein Smoothie as a post-workout treat!
Hummus
Hummus is a tasty treat that can be used in several different ways. Use it as a dip with carrots, as a sauce on your favorite pasta, or even as a sandwich spread. The next time you make homemade hummus, amp up the nutritional value by adding a few of your favorite greens to the recipe. Not only will your hummus taste delicious, but it will be chock-full of essential nutrients to keep your body feeling powered and strong.
Searching for a great hummus recipe? Try this Hummus with Garbanzo Bean Flour. It's delicious, easy to make and completely customizable! Greens like spinach and kale can easily be added to boost the nutritional value of the recipe in just minutes.
Soup
Soup is a classic comfort dish that tastes great at any time of the year. Using quality, wholesome ingredients to craft your soup will create a dish that's overflowing with flavor and nutrients.
Need some inspiration? Test your kitchen skills with this Farro Cabbage and Lentil Soup. A thick, rich and hearty soup, this recipe uses superfood veggies like spinach, cabbage, arugula and kale to create a dish that is full of health benefits.
Salad
Though salad might seem like the obvious meal choice to work more greens into your diet, it doesn't have to be boring. The next time you decide to make a fresh homemade salad, we challenge you to add ingredients that you usually wouldn't. Grilled beets, sun-dried tomatoes and even grapefruit are just a few of many nutrient-rich foods you can use to add a flavor boost to your greens.
When making your next salad, don't stop at fruit and veggies! Grain inspired salads like this Mediterranean Farro Salad is a fun way to add variety to your favorite salad dishes. The farro used in this recipe adds a chewy texture and nutty flavor that perfectly complements the arugula that it's mixed with.
Sauce
Include your greens into your meals by turning them into a sauce! Sauces like chimichurri, salsa verde and pesto all include nutrient-rich greens. Whether you purchase quality sauces from your favorite vendors or choose to make them at home, it's never too late to mix a bit of greens in!
Wraps
Take your salad to the next level and turn it into a wrap! A creative way to ensure that your family is eating their greens, wraps can be filled with veggies and protein like chicken or salmon. Serve them up pre-made or make it buffet style and let everyone get creative with the fillings they add to their lettuce wraps.
These Grapefruit, Avocado and Crab Couscous Salad Wraps are a restaurant-worthy dish that you can make at home! Light, rich and oh-so-satisfying, they're the perfect dish for a light lunch or appetizer.
Quiche
Craving a savory breakfast? Or maybe you're searching for the perfect light brunch? A healthy quiche is an ideal way to sneak a handful of veggies into a satisfying meal. A quiche is an easy dish to make for a family. Serve it up immediately and freeze the leftovers to eat later. It's a simple and healthy meal that doesn't take much planning.
If you're not a fan of eggs, then try out this Potato and Kale Vegan Quiche. It's egg-free, vibrant and loaded with healthy greens like onion, potato, kale and lemon. Suitable for those with dietary restrictions, this quiche is gluten free and vegan.
Oatmeal
While vegetables and oats might not sound like the perfect combo, don't pass on this treat just yet. A savory breakfast bowl of rolled oats may be just what you need to ensure that you're eating enough greens. The subtle nutty taste of rolled oats makes them a versatile ingredient that works well with both sweet and savory foods. If you've grown tired of your regular sweet bowl of oatmeal in the morning, try putting a delicious spin on this dish. Making your oats in a more savory fashion by blending them with fresh herbs and veggies will amp up the nutritional value of your plate by tenfold. Plus, it may break you out of the recipe rut you've found yourself in.
To make an oat bowl that is loaded with wholesome greens, make this Peachy Salad with Savory Toasted Oats Recipe. It's a blend of summer fruits, fresh greens and rolled oats that will have your mouth watering before the first bite!
Pizza
It's hard to mess up a good pizza! For any easy way to add more greens to your diet, choose your favorite green veggies and turn them into a delicious pizza topping. Spinach, kale and even broccoli are all nutrient-packed greens that taste great when added to the pizza.
Surprise your family by making this tasty Veggie Pizza with Spinach and Flaxseed Pizza Crust. This pizza is so delicious and it's sure to have everyone at the table asking for seconds, even the kiddos!
Rice
If you're searching for a quick dinner that's both easy and healthy, rice is your dish. Incredibly versatile, rice can be prepared with just about any food. Mangos, chicken and even coconut can be added to rice. Turn your satisfying rice dinner into a green-packed meal by adding in your favorite veggies. When making dishes like vegetable fried rice, don't be afraid to get creative! This Vegetable Fried Rice is one of our favorite versions and uses chopped cabbage and green onions as a veggie base.
And there you have it! Ten delicious ways that you can incorporate more greens into your diet. Whether you choose to add greens to one or all of these dishes, we're sure that with this knowledge, you’ll quickly discover how to eat more leafy greens in no time.
