The Most Nutritious Greens
We all know that greens are good for us, but did you know that some greens are more nutritious than others? In this blog post, we'll take a look at a few of the most nutrient-rich greens and what makes them so good for you.
1. Kale
Kale is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. It's also a great source of fiber. One cup of kale has only 36 calories but provides 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber.
2. Spinach
Like kale, spinach is full of vitamins and minerals. It's especially high in vitamin A and iron. Spinach is also a good source of magnesium, potassium, and calcium. One cup of spinach has only 7 calories but provides over 1 gram of protein and 2 grams of fiber.
3. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is another nutrient-rich green. It's high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, and fiber. Swiss chard has a slightly higher calorie content than kale and spinach, with 74 calories per cup. But it also provides 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.
4. Collards
Collards are a type of cabbage that is particularly high in vitamins A and C, as well as calcium and iron. One cup of collards has only 49 calories but provides 3 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.
5. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens are another type of cabbage that is high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and iron. They have a slightly bitter taste but are delicious when cooked properly. One cup of mustard greens has only 22 calories but provides 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.
6. Turnip Greens
Turnip greens are related to mustard greens and are also high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and iron. They have a slightly sweet taste that makes them a bit more palatable than other types of greens. One cup of turnip greens has only 32 calories but provides 2 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.
7. Beet Greens
Beet greens are the leaves of the beet plant that are often discarded but are actually very nutritious! Beet greens are high in vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, copper, manganese, zinc, thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), folate (vitamin B9), AND choline! Whew! That's a lot! Beet greens also provide 4 grams of protein per cup along with 4 grams of fiber.
As you can see from this list there are many different types on nutritious greens available to include in your diet! Make sure to mix things up an try out some new ones! Your body will thank you for it! :) Try incorporating at least 2 cups worth or raw or cooked veggies into your diet each day for optimum health! :)