3 Tasty Ways to Eat Your Greens (Without Eating More Salad)

When someone says “healthy food,” what do you think of? Your answer may vary from gluten free to whole foods to paleo to a plant-based diet. While even experts disagree about some aspects of a healthy diet, one thing is constant: eating plenty of leafy green veggies!

Why Leafy Greens?

What’s the big deal with these green leafy vegetables (or GLVs, as many peer-reviewed studies call them)? Eating more leafy greens can keep your brain sharp, lower risk of cardiovascular disease, help prevent type 2 diabetes, and more.

Leafy greens are high in lots of nutrients, including

-antioxidants
-fiber
-Vitamin E
-Vitamin A
-Vitamin C
-Vitamin K
-calcium
-folate
-magnesium

Some high-nutrient green leafy vegetables include:

-kale
-spinach
-collard greens
-microgreens
-chard
-arugula
-Romaine lettuce

Leafy greens are full of good-for-you stuff. But how can you make sure you get enough in your diet?

How to Eat More Leafy Green Vegetables

Lately, I’ve been trying to eat a hearty salad for lunch to increase my green veggie intake. But let’s be honest… some days, a salad just doesn’t sound good! 😛

So how can you get those greens other than more salad? Here are three tasty options.

1. Green Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to sneak in some green veggies! This is a great option, especially for kids who might refuse anything that looks like a vegetable. 😉

Add some fresh or frozen fruit, frozen spinach or kale, milk of choice (or water), and voila! You have a delicious breakfast or snack that’s packed with vitamins. Throw in some Greek yogurt, protein powder or nuts and seeds for a little more staying power.

Here are some of my favorite green smoothie recipes:

-my dreamy orange smoothie!
–Strawberry banana green smoothie from Eating Well
–Mango green smoothie from Well Plated by Erin

Maybe the best part is that you can throw almost anything in a smoothie! Feel free to get creative with your fruits, veggies, and spices. Then enjoy your delicious creation 😀

2. Soups & Curries

My three-year-old currently doesn’t love fresh veggies (particularly salad). But when I put greens in a soup or a curry, he’ll gobble them up! And even as an adult, sometimes it’s nice to have some extra flavor to go with those veggies.

Here are some of our favorite soups & curries right now:

–African inspired peanut stew by Cookie & Kate (I usually add a can of chickpeas)
–Lentil detox stew by Pinch of Yum
–Thai red curry by Cookie & Kate (I usually add a can of chickpeas to this too)

3. Baked Goods

Looking for a sweeter way to disguise your leafy greens? Try sneaking them into your baked goods! Whether it’s pancakes or muffins, adding a handful of spinach here and there can help you get the vitamins you need.

Here are some tasty ideas to try:

–Banana muffins with spinach by Yummy Toddler Food
–Spinach pancakes by Weelicious (try swapping at least half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat to get in some whole grains!)
–Apple kale cake by Veggie Desserts (this option is more of a full-on treat, but with the added benefit of extra vitamins 😉 )

Eat more leafy green vegetables in
1. green smoothies
2. soups & curries
3. baked goods

Whether you’re a fan of salad or not, you can find creative and tasty ways to get the benefits of leafy green vegetables. Try adding greens to a smoothie, soup, or muffin!

What’s your favorite way to eat your greens? Leave a comment below!