How many times do you walk into a grocery store and look blankly at the fruit and vegetable section?
Do you spy an apple worth picking up and move on to the frozen food section or do you actually look, pawing through the treasure trove grocery stores offer?
Well, maybe it’s time for the latter. Think about your plate differently and open up your mind to new possibilities.
Out of all the arguments, disagreements, everchanging and confusing information in the nutrition world, one thing remains steady and that’s to “eat a wide variety diet, mostly fruits and vegetables, and in moderation.”
Keep those three simple rules in mind and good nutrition will be right at your side. So without further ado, eight things you aren’t eating….but really should.
1) Kale -Rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and delicately bitter with a deep emerald green, it’s great tossed with whole wheat pasta, pieces of fresh chopped garlic, drizzled with olive oil, a dash of garlic salt, and polished off with a dusting of parmesan cheese.
2) Bok choy – A cousin of the cabbage and just as wonderful. So versatile and insanely cheap yet filling and packed with nutrients such as calcium, vitamin C and vitamin A plus glucosinolates which may prevent cancer. It’s great chopped and added to any soup or stir fried for a quick and healthy dinner.
3) Sweet potatoes – Not the kind that have been candied/sweetened up but the pure bliss of eating a freshly baked sweet potato with absolutely nothing on it, enjoying what nature rightfully made. More beta carotene than 23 cups of broccoli, consider replacing that white potato with a golden one the next steak night.
4) Pumpkin – A Thanksgiving favorite but now you can enjoy it all year long. Packed with fiber, low in calories, yet high in potassium, magnesium and vitamin E, mix with cinnamon kissed vanilla yogurt and breakfast is ready.
5) Quinoa – A seed often used like a grain making it a delicious option for those who are gluten intolerant. And because it’s complete in amino acids, it’s a powerful protein substitute for those who are vegetarian. The best part about quinoa is it cooks just like rice but in half the time. Try it tossed with roasted vegetables, olives, and feta cheese and you have a Mediterranean delight.
6) Radishes -Little red bulbs usually bundled together, it’s hard not to grab some just for the cute factor. They are full of potassium, anti-inflammatory agents, and minerals such as sulphur, iron, and iodine. They’re great shaved in a salad but if you’re more adventurous, they can be sautéed or even pickled.
7) Beets – If radishes are cute, beets are hideous. A rough exterior looking root with a painfully red center that when not careful could stain the hands or the counter.
But call it a diamond in the rough because they are high in folate, manganese, potassium and once cut, tossed with a little olive oil, sea salt and placed in a roasting oven, the flesh will caramelize giving it a decidedly sweet flavor.
8) Swiss chard – Back to the greens! There are just so many, and this is definitely one you should add to your collection.
Beautifully long intense green leaves with red but sometimes yellow or blue stems. Try them sautéed with freshly minced garlic and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes.