A quick look around any “convenience store” food selection betrays a saddening fact: many of the most popular foods in the market today are full of fillers, vegetable oils, salt, and added sugar. Unsurprisingly, diets high in these foods take a toll on our health; diabetes, obesity, cardiac problems, and arthritis can all result from unhealthy eating. It can be difficult to know how to eat more vegetables with our busy lives.
With that in mind, more and more people are recognizing that diets high in whole foods and green leafy vegetables offer significant benefits to our health and well-being. Those who take advantage of a more veggie-centric diet have found the best leafy greens for weight loss and overall health:
- Kale
- Microgreens
- Romaine Lettuce
- Collard Greens
- Swiss Chard
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Cabbage
- Beet Greens
The list goes on. When you’ve got plenty of the fiber and vitamins in green leafy vegetables, you’ll feel the healthy effects… read on to learn how!
Green Leafy Vegetables—Benefits to Your Health and Happiness
You may already know there are tons of vitamins in green leafy vegetables. Vitamins A, C, and K abound, as well as folate, fiber, calcium, and potassium. The healthy macronutrients and micronutrients in green veggies supply your body with the building blocks it needs, resulting in proven health benefits:
- Folate reduces risks of colon, breast, cervix, and lung cancer
- Fiber helps with regular digestive function
- Vitamin B promotes heart health and aids in preventing birth defects
- Vitamin K protects bones from osteoporosis
- Low calorie and carbohydrate content help with weight loss and management
If this list of green leafy vegetables benefits isn’t enough, consider that eating 2-3 cups of veggies and 1.5-2 cups of fruit per day can boost your happiness as much as going from unemployed to employed! The vitamins in green leafy vegetables give you more energy, properly functioning cells and body processes, and a generally better mood to boot!
The Best Way to Eat Vegetables? With Hummus!
If you’ve ever seen the HOPE Kitchen, Youtube channel, or Instagram foodie community, you already know that there are hundreds of healthy recipes for how to eat more vegetables. With creative, mouth-watering flavors and a killer nutrient profile, hummus is a no-brainer when it comes to eating green. Don’t believe us? Check out these delish dishes!
Thai Curry Salmon Avocado Toast by @provisionsbypaige
If this isn’t the best way to eat vegetables, we’re stumped on what is. This juicy lunch or breakfast treat features seared salmon and Thai Coconut Curry hummus on a slice of sprouted whole wheat toast, topped with avocado, kale microgreens, dill, sliced radish, and lemon. We propose a toast!
Avocado Toast Salad by @thecuttingveg
Yum. Now this is how to eat more vegetables. Ditch the toast and salmon, and instead whip up this concoction of arugula, radish, cucumber, avocado, cherry tomato, medium-boiled egg, and of course hummus. We recommend Original Recipe or Kale Pesto, but let your imagination be your guide.
Spring Macro Bowl by @flora_and_vino
With low prep time and supreme mixability, veggie bowls are a popular way to reap green leafy vegetables’ benefits. You can throw together whatever you’ve got in the fridge, or you can try this concoction of Kale Pesto hummus, asparagus, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, peas, radish, quinoa, lemon, mint and more.
Sweet Potato Veggie Toast
If you wanna go all-out, this is how to eat more vegetables. Forget about toast, and bake up some sweet potato slices instead! Then top with your favorite hummus + veggie combo… we tried Spicy Avocado with cherry tomatoes, arugula, and balsamic; Original Recipe with kiwi (try it!); and Buffalo Bleu with avocado and red chili flakes. The sky’s the limit.
Collard Veggie Wraps by @eatthegains
We love burritos, but they don’t have all the vitamins in green leafy vegetables—or do they? This vegan low-carb treat swaps out the tortilla for a collard leaf, wrapped around green pepper, shredded carrots, apple, beets, cabbage, and hummus. Try your own hummus flavor… Hint: we suggest Black Garlic or Spicy Avocado!
How to Eat More Vegetables: Add Fun Dips!
While this gives you a good start, there are plenty more recipes for how to eat more vegetables. Visit us on Insta for a ton of great veggie-rich ideas that will help you drop weight and feel your best.
