Add 10 Green Foods To Your Diet

Including green foods in your diet has many benefits to your health and well-being.  Some of the foods listed here have similar and unique properties. As there are so many green foods to choose from, it’s difficult to mention them all.  Here are my top 10 green foods to add to your diet.

1. Granny Smith Apples

When you bite into these apples they’re so crispy and juicy.  Higher in acid than other apples, they take longer go brown when cut, so they are ideal to add to salads.  They can help weight loss as they are low in calories and high in fiber.  Eating Granny Smith apples also regulate blood sugar levels, and keep your heartbeat regular. The saying, An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away is certainly true of this versatile fruit.

2. Avocado

Eating avocados helps to reduce inflammation in the body caused by arthritis and osteoporosis.  Rich in antioxidants it helps to get rid of cancerous and damaged cells.  A belief that avocados are bad for the heart, because they are high in fat is not true.  They can be good for the heart, because they contain healthy fats, such as omega 3, and other important nutrients, which help the battle against heart disease. A tasty way of introducing more avocados into your diet, is by using them in sandwiches instead of mayonnaise. See this simple recipe for a tasty sandwich using avocado mayonnaise.

3. Kale

The benefits of this curly leafed green vegetable are becoming more popular and widely known.  It’s often referred to as the Queen of Greens or A Nutritional Powerhouse.  Some of the reasons this vegetable is being ranked so highly is that it is low in calories, high in fiber and has not fat content. Kale’s other important properties are that it is high in iron, calcium, vitamins A, K and C, which helps prevent cancer, improves vision, the immune system, bones and hydration.    A different way of bringing kale and other green foods into your diet is by juicing then.  Why not try this Smooth Green Juice recipe and let us know if you liked it.

4. Peas

Peas are a popular green food.  Sweet and delicious they are a tasty vegetable in so many dishes.  Whether they are added to salads, as crispy raw sugar snap peas mange tout, or eaten as peas from the pod, they are wholesome vegetable.  As well as tasting  good they have many healthy benefits.  Like other vegetables they are low in fat, high in protein, fiber and other nutrients.  Some of the nutrients contained in peas can help protect against stomach cancer, are anti-aging, can strengthen the immune system and increase energy.

5. Broccoli

This vegetable belongs to the cabbage family.  Ideal for people who want to lose weight, and keep healthy.  Broccoli is full of nutrients and low in calories.  It’s most important nutrients are vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid, calcium and fibre.  If you find that including diary is a problem for you in your diet, broccoli is a great way of increasing your calcium levels.  Research has shown that by eating this type of vegetable it is linked to lowering rates of cancer because of certain enzymes.

6. Spinach

I’m Popeye the sailor man, I’m Popeye the sailor man, I’m strong to the finish because I eats me spinach, I’m Popeye the sailor man!

If it was good enough for Popeye, it’s still good enough today. Spinach is high on the list as being one of the most nutritious foods you can eat.  It’s full of flavonoids, which help in the fight against different types of cancer.  Eating fresh spinach is good for the heart as it is known to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.  It also helps to slow down the aging process, and is good for the brain.  So if you want to be as strong as Popeye, and as brainy as Olive, make sure to include spinach in your diet.

7. Brussel Sprouts

Another member of the cabbage family, this vegetable causes a lot of debate. You either love them or hate them.   Whichever side of the debate you’re on, their health benefits can’t be argued.  Brussel Sprouts help lower cholesterol. They do this as they are high in fibre, and work with the liver to help with the digestion of fat. They contain antioxidants which help to reduce inflammation in the body.  Good for losing weight, eating Brussel Sprouts help regulate blood sugar levels, which stops overeating.  They are also high in vitamin C and A, which help prevent hyper tension and increases vision.  Whether or not you’re a fan of Brussel Sprouts try this delicious recipe Brown Sugar Bacon Brussels Sprouts

8. Cucumber

Normally cucumber is added to salads, but as well as being an important tasty part of your salad, it has other benefits too.  Cucumber has a high percentage of water so it helps to keep you hydrated.  The skin on cucumbers is also full of vitamin C.  A well known cure for puffy eyes is to place a slice of cucumber over each eye, and relax for a few minutes.  By doing this the puffiness is reduced, and the eyes feel refreshed. Cucumber can also help to relieve bad breath and hangovers.  A handy household tip, rub a slice of cucumber on a bathroom mirror before a bath or shower, by doing this it will stop the mirror from fogging up.

9. Parsley

Parsley is mostly used as a garnish in cooking, as it adds more color and interest to your dishes.  However, this versatile herb is full of nutrients in its own right, and has many health benefits.  Bursting with vitamins C, B12, K and A, it helps strengthen your immune and nervous systems, as well as your bones.  It also helps to reduce the pain of arthritis, as it has anti-inflammatory properties.  An interesting tip, If you’ve been a bit heavy handed with garlic in your cooking, chewing fresh parsley gets rid of garlic breath.

10. Coriander

Just like parsley, coriander is a popular Mediterranean herb used in cooking.  The health benefits of this herb are many, including helping to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL), while at the same time increasing good cholesterol (HDL).  It can relieve heartburn and help digestion.  Coriander is also known as a natural remedy to help relieve period pain.  In the Spring/Summer coriander can be taken as a quick acting anti-histamine. Ground Coriander seed is an ingredient of Garam Masala which is widely used in Indian cooking.
If you’re looking for foods that regulate your blood sugar levels, reduce bad cholesterol and/or inflammation, or aid digestion, I hope the green foods will help you. They are are just the tip of the iceberg, as there are so many more to choose from.  I hope you’ll add some of them to your diet, and that you’ll let us know if they’ve helped your health and well-being.