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Be a Lean, Green, Vegetable Machine

In this day and age, it’s hard to eat healthily. With fast food being as convenient and cheap as it is, going to the grocery store or the farmer’s market for some fresh vegetables at a considerably higher price seems somewhat time consuming and illogical. Plus, it’s difficult to even decide what vegetables to get and how to prepare them. Part of this decision process can be made easier by knowing a little about vegetables, what they do for our bodies, and how to get the most out of them.  veggies green

Broccoli, for example, is incredibly low in calories but high in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. The phyto-nutrients that it contains help ward off a variety of cancers while its high concentration of Vitamins A, C, and K boost eye and immune function. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to prepare raw or cooked, and most people are familiar with its taste, appearance, and preparation.

Kale is a part of the same vegetable family as broccoli, and it has become a trendy leafy green due to its exceptionally high density of vitamins and antioxidants. Just 100g of kale leaves will provide 200% of your daily Vitamin C dosage and a whopping 700% of your daily Vitamin K dosage. It also contains vital minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron, all of which are important for your blood, muscles, and brain cells to continue functioning properly. The taste can be a little bitter, but it makes for the perfect foundation for a mixed salad. Plus, it’s relatively cheap and much healthier than lettuce.

The artichoke is another green vegetable that packs quite a healthy punch despite its rich, buttery texture. Besides fiber, artichokes contain folic acid, which helps synthesize DNA and prevent neural tube defects in a fetus during pregnancy. Artichokes also provide over a quarter of the recommended daily amount of copper, which is crucial for the production of red blood cells. While creamy enough on their own, it’s okay to indulge a little and dip your artichoke leaves and heart in a light butter sauce. You won’t even notice that you’re eating a healthy, green vegetable.

Now that MD Home Health has taught you a little more about some of the health benefits that green vegetables have to offer, it’s time to go out and give them a try. Try replacing your French fries with one or all of these veggies and you’ll start feeling better immediately – physically and psychologically. Remember, a dollar can go a long way if you choose the right vegetables and treat your body right.