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15 Mind Blowing Veggies You Need to Eat More Of (# 6 is So Good!)
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Everybody knows that eating fresher, organic vegetables is the single most important dietary change you can make to reduce your risk of all kinds of health problems, including cancer, as well as improve your overall health and well-being.
You have most likely also heard that you should eat a rainbow of colors when it comes to fruits and vegetables (although we are only going to talk about vegetables this time). Have you ever really walked through your supermarket picturing a rainbow as you shop? Probably not. And even though all vegetables have their good points and plenty of nutrition, some of them just stand head and shoulders above the rest.
So take a look at the top 15 veggies that will give you that rainbow of color thing you are looking for as well as giving your body that “cherry on top,” so to speak, when it comes to nutrition. Maybe we should say the “cherry tomato” on top since this is, after all, a list about veggies!
1. Celery
This is perhaps one of the most underrated veggies in America. Many people instantly think of rabbit food or think celery is something you only use in tuna salad, but celery is loaded with phytochemicals called phthalides. Studies have shown the eating plenty of phthalides decrease the levels of stress hormones in the body, which will reduce the stiffness in artery walls, improving blood flow. Celery has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine to help control blood pressure.
Celery is a great choice for those looking to lose weight, as you will probably burn more calories chomping on it than this vegetable contains, and that’s not a bad thing. It also is a great source of dietary fiber, folates, vitamin K, and B6. So yes, it is good in tuna salad, but you can also dip some in your guacamole, use it in stir fry, add a handful to casseroles or soups, dip it in cottage cheese or yogurt, or, the all-time favorite – smear it with some nut butter.
2. Beet Greens
Do you like beets but regularly cut off the green tops? Well, you won’t after this! Beet tops are simply brimming with vitamin K, which has been linked to a lower risk of developing diabetes. Just one cup of these greens will give you double your daily requirement of this vitamin. You can add them to soup, pasta, rice, or frittata dishes. Or, for a nice change of pace, sauté a bunch of young, tender greens with a bit of olive oil and fresh garlic for a super tasty, and super healthy, side dish. The younger the greens the softer they are, so get ‘em while they’re young!
3. Beets
No root is going to be outdone by its tops, and beets are no exception! Beautiful, ruby-red beets are a great source of nitrates, which are good for those who want to keep their blood pressure under control. On top of this, you get tons of other nutrition and healthy fiber which is known to lower your risk of stomach and colorectal cancer. Try roasting beets to bring out their natural sweetness. Always buy organic beets, however, as many sugar beets on the market today are GM products.
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