The 10 Best Greens for You
From: The South Beach Diet
If you're following the South Beach Diet lifestyle, you already know
the importance of eating greens like spinach, kale, and Swiss chard.
Research shows that eating dark greens may help maintain good health
by reducing your risk of heart disease, some cancers, and several
other illnesses. They're also rich in beta-carotene, folate, and
vitamins C, E, and K, which help protect against free radicals
(unstable oxygen molecules that can damage cells). Eating dark
greens regularly may also lower blood pressure and cholesterol,
promote normal eyesight, and improve gastrointestinal function.
Include these 10 nutritional powerhouses in your diet:
Beet greens
Bok choy
Brussels sprouts
Collard greens
Kale
Mustard greens
Romaine and red-leaf lettuce
Spinach
Swiss chard
Turnip greens
How Much Is Enough?
The most recent dietary guidelines published by the US Department of
Health and Human Services recommend consuming at least 3 cups of
dark-green vegetables per week, but if you're like most Americans,
you don't get enough. (On the South Beach Diet far more is recommended.)
The good news: All vegetables contribute to a healthy eating plan. So
eat a wide variety — both green and otherwise — throughout the week,
and you'll take a big step toward providing your body with the nutrients
it needs.
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