It can be difficult to choose the right vegetables to help you eat healthy. Here are five vegetables that you should eat.
Dark, leafy greens
Yes, kale is great for you. But watercress, chard and beet greens are also good. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists leafy greens as one of the most powerful fruits and vegetables. They are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
There are many uses for greens, beyond just salads. You can blend them into smoothies, sauces, soups, or add to pasta or rice. They can be used to garnish any sandwich or burger.
As many greens are bitter, it is crucial to choose the right flavor. Because they are mild, spinach and romaine work well in smoothies. When paired with sweeter foods like apples and pears, cabbage, kale, or other bitter greens, they work well.
Brussels sprouts
The smell alone can turn off people from this cruciferous veggie. You might be tempted to give them another go. They are full of iron, potassium, vitamin C.
Brussels sprouts are a great side dish to any meal. You can bake them with a bit of olive oil. You can also cut the sprouts thinly and serve them as a side or salad with other steamed veggies.
Red peppers
Red bell peppers are technically a fruit but they are sweet and versatile and packed with Vitamin C. The bright red color of red peppers is great for combining with the greens you’re adding in your diet.
These are just a few of the many options available to you for including them in your diet. They can be sliced and dipped, stuffed, sauteed, or pureed as a sauce. Red peppers are great for soups, salads and sandwiches. They can also be used in stir-frys, pizzas, tacos and chimichangas.
Peas
This childhood staple is high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Peas are best fresh, but frozen is the best way to get them. Keep a freezer bag handy.
Peas have mild, sweet flavors that make them great additions to many meals. Peas can be used in soups, in mac and cheese, in rice dishes, and even in a sauce for pasta made with ricotta cheese.
Pumpkins
You can also add pumpkin to your diet. You need to be mindful that you are making healthy choices and not consuming too much sugar. Canned, unsweetened pumpkin has vitamins A and C as well as potassium and fiber.
Make pumpkin ravioli and add it to chili or soups. For a sweet fix, blend up a pumpkin-pie smoothie. It’s also possible to make pumpkin part your breakfast by adding it into muffins and pancakes.
