St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and what better way to wear your green (and avoid those pinches!) than feeling and looking healthier by adding greens to your diet.

Green Smoothie

This is probably the easiest way you can incorporate greens into your diet. Simply take your favorite smoothie recipe and add a big handful of spinach. Spinach is rich in Vitamin K and Vitamin A, and you won’t even taste the difference when you add it to a blended smoothie!

For an easy but delicious green smoothie recipe, click here.

Garnish Your Favorite Staples

An easy way to add greens to your diet without overthinking it is just to add a handful of green to garnish your common dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Top your pizza with arugula, which is loaded with vital nutrients and is even linked to reducing the risk of cancer.
• Swap lettuce for leafy greens on your burger. We recommend watercress for its high concentration of vitamin K and antioxidants as well as its slightly spicy flavor that goes really well with beef.
• Add sauteed spinach to pasta dishes for added vitamins and minerals.

Pesto Sauce

When making a homemade pesto sauce, replace what the recipe calls for basil with leafy greens, like kale, instead. Like the green smoothie, you won’t taste the difference, and it’s a simple way to reap the benefits and still enjoy a meal you love. 

For leafy green-packed pesto recipes, click here.

Greens That Pack a Punch

• Arugula – Has a slight taste of pepper and contains lots of Vitamin K which promotes bone health as it’s needed to absorb calcium. Arugula is also known to reduce inflammation and has Vitamin B that promotes brain health.
• Spinach – Rich in Vitamin K, A, and C, spinach helps with your bone and skin health. Spinach is a source of fiber and protein that can be easily added to any dish. Its antioxidant properties help fight against inflammation and disease.
• Watercress – Another leafy green high in Vitamin K, watercress can help improve bone health and is high in antioxidants. Watercress is also known to promote better heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and containing carotenoids that lower the risk of heart disease.
• Kale – Kale gets a bad rep for its unique flavor, but it’s one of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens out there. Kale contains high levels of Vitamin A, K, and C and minerals such as Magnesium and Potassium. Like watercress, kale is known to promote better heart health also.
• Romaine – High in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, romaine can be used as a salad base or on a burger. Its antioxidant properties are known to improve your immune system health and protect against disease.