Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day
by Emma Buckley | 11th Jul 2019
Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day!
With St. Patrick’s Day approaching there’s no better time to go green and talk about leafy greens! Disliked by far too many due to their bitter taste (and childhood memories of being force fed soggy cabbage at the dinner table!), they are still a critical part of a healthy diet, and can be delicious, depending on how you prepare them and what they are accompanied with. So don’t give up on the greens yet and if you need any more convincing, here’s why you should be going green this St. Patrick’s Day.
Why Leafy Green Veggies?
- They’re rich in vitamin K which is vital for healthy blood.
- They’re a great source of Vitamin A which works as an antioxidant and helps fight cell damage.
- Greens are a strong source of Iron, which is especially important for those avoiding meat.
- They’re rich in Vitamin C which aids the absorption of iron.
- They’re low calorie which means they are great for adding bulk to a meal without adding calories if you are trying to lose weight.
- They can be high in folate, a B vitamin, that helps maintain a healthy nervous system.
Broccoli and Spinach are always the first two green veg that come to mind when mentioning leafy greens, but don’t forget about kale, cabbage and rocket too. They can be bought fresh or frozen, and are a super versatile ingredient for dishes such as stir-fries, omelettes and salads. Simple ways to increase your consumption include:
- Blending them into a Veggie soup.
- Adding them to Sauces – Spinach blends well into tomato based sauces.
- Adding some frozen greens to your smoothie – If you’ve got enough fruit in there you will barely taste the greens anyway.
- Add some to your usual meals – Add some finely chopped broccoli to your omelettes or some spinach or rocket to your sandwich.