10 Ways to Sneak More Greens Into Your Diet

10 Ways to Sneak More Greens Into Your Diet

Were you that kid stuck at the dinner table because you refused to eat your peas? Same, girl, same. But have no fear—there are so many delicious ways to spruce up your greens and make them the most exciting thing on your plate.

The health benefits of eating greens are seriously endless. The list includes increased energy and a boosted immune system, plus greens are low in fat and calories, making them an ideal food to maintain a healthy body weight. 

If you’re not yet convinced here are a few more reasons why greens are so important: green vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, are full of nutrients like iron, calcium and magnesium, and vitamins A and K. They’re also packed with vitamin C, which helps prevent hair breakage, repairs skin from sun damage and increases firmness. Greens are also a great source of fiber and phytonutrients, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Fun Fact: Because of the high antioxidant content, leafy green vegetables may be one of the best cancer-preventing foods!

Here are 10 easy ways to sneak more greens into your diet that won’t make you feel like you’re depriving yourself.

1. Spruce up your salad: Keep salads interesting by mixing up textures, colors and varieties. Combine small leafy greens with different kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots. Say goodbye to boring salads.

2. SOUPer delish: Consider adding larger, tougher leaves like kale, collard greens or mustard greens to your favorite soup.  

3. Stir-fry it up: Add broccoli, chopped spinach or bok choy to chicken or tofu. Throw in some garlic, onion or ginger and mix with olive oil, like this healthy stir-fry.

4. That’s a wrap: Combine lettuce, spinach, arugula and other veggies to add flavor to a wrap. Consider this healthy wrap with hummus.

5. Get steamy: Throw together some mustard greens, collard greens, spinach or kale and steam until al dente. Here’s a quick 5-minute steamed collard greens recipe.

6. Breakfast club: Try adding steamed spinach and broccoli to an omelet for a vitamin and iron-rich meal, like this broccoli and spinach frittata.

7. All about the veggie chips: Grab some kale, chard or beet greens to make baked vegetable chips. Simply rub the washed leaves with some oil and spices and bake at 225°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until crispy.

8. Power up a smoothie: Jumpstart your day with a power smoothie. Use mild greens like spinach and baby kale and combine with frozen fruit, ginger, turmeri, cinnamon, coconut water, nut butter or yogurt. You can also try this detoxing strawberry, kale and spinach smoothie.

9. Make it a veggie pizza: Toss veggies on your pizza like arugula, mushrooms, green bell pepper and spinach. Or use cauliflower to make a gluten-free crust and top with pesto and vegetables for a very veggie pizza.

10. Combine with your main dish for dinner: Try adding arugula, chard or kale to your dinner. Tacos? Add some extra lettuce. Italian? Beef up your pasta sauce with vegetables and greens. Indian? Add some spinach to your dahl or curry.

What are some of your fave ways to add greens to your meals?