As you start researching what foods to eat and what to avoid while on a plant-based diet, one thing is for certain – vegetables are key! They are filled with nutrients, inexpensive, easy to find anywhere and fill you up to keep you from excessive snacking.
This is especially true with your leafy greens, which is why greens are at the top of the list for foods you want to eat more of when you are on a plant-based diet.
Benefits of More Greens in Your Diet
First of all, let’s go over some of the health benefits of eating more greens on a regular basis. Greens are going to help a lot with keeping you regular, thanks to the increase in fiber they contain. Many people don’t eat enough fiber if they are not on a plant-based or meatless diet, and therefore don’t have the extra encouragement to eat their veggies.
Dark, leafy greens contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that are great for your body, including antioxidants, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. They help fill you up so you eat fewer snacks in between meals, and are very nutrient-dense. Plus, eating more greens allows you to eat more whole foods, which is important when you are on a plant-based diet.
- Kale
When people think of eating dark, leafy greens, kale is often at the top of the list. It is extremely nutrient-dense, providing well over your daily minimum for vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. It also has a good amount of antioxidants that your body needs to prevent infections and various illnesses. If you aren’t a fan of using kale in salads or as a side dish, try adding a handful to your smoothies. You won’t taste the kale but still get all those nutrients.
- Spinach
If you enjoy salads or want to add greens to your smoothies, spinach is a really easy way to go. The great thing about spinach is that it has a really mild flavor. You won’t really notice the taste if you are making a salad since you will have other veggies and healthy plant-based toppings on top. You can also add spinach to the soup, chili, quiche, eggs, sauces, and so many more things. It is an extremely versatile, healthy green to get on a regular basis.
- Arugula
You can also add more arugula to your diet, which is another leafy green that has a mild flavor and works amazingly in salads. Arugula has a bit of a pepper flavor, so it is best when used in salads, and not added to other dishes like spinach or kale. Many people like to use multiple types of greens, adding other leafy greens with a little arugula for this unique flavor and the added health benefits;
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