Why Dark Leafy Greens Should Be on Your Plate

Want to increase your intake of fiber, vitamins, and minerals? Then make sure to eat your greens! Kale, collards, beet greens, and bok choy are inexpensive sources of vital nutrients. Eating a diet rich in leafy greens can offer numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart health problems and mental decline1. Here are 3 leafy greens that you should include in your diet:

1. Kale

Kale is full of fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K, vitamin C, and iron. The nutrients in kale help boost well-being and prevent a range of health problems2.

Try it sautéed in a bit of extra virgin olive oil with garlic.

2. Collards

Collard greens contain an antioxidant known as alpha-lipoic acid, which has been shown to reduce glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and prevent oxidative stress-induced damage for those with type 2 diabetes3.

High-fiber foods like collard greens have been known to prevent constipation, promote regularity, and help protect digestive health and colon health.

Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron content, collard greens can help promote healthy-looking skin and hair.

For the best texture, sauté in olive oil, then cover with water, bring to a boil, and briefly simmer.

3. Spinach

A cup of cooked spinach contains only 41 calories and has exceptionally high levels of vitamins K, vitamin A, and other essential vitamins and minerals. The calcium in spinach can help strengthen your bones.

Like other leafy green vegetables, spinach is loaded with potent antioxidants, which are important for normal skin cell development and encourage a healthy skin tone.

Studies have shown that adding just a cup of spinach to your diet each day will help aid in digestion, prevent constipation, maintain blood sugar, and even help curb your appetite if you are trying to lose weight.

Spinach can be eaten raw as the base of a salad, steamed, or sautéed with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

If leafy greens aren’t your thing, we recommend NATURELO's Raw Greens Whole Food Powder. It comes complete with 36 pure, plant-based ingredients that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to nourish every cell in your body.