Adding Leafy Greens For Weight Loss

| July 25, 2010 | 0 Comments

If you know what people mean when they say, “I can’t eat that, I’m not a rabbit”, than you probably have a good idea that most people aren’t eating enough leafy green vegetables. Most people probably realize that these vegetables are full of nutrients and that they are healthy for you. However, many people don’t realize just how much they help in weight loss.

What Leafy Greens Do For You.

Leafy green vegetables include a huge number of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. They are low in calories and in fat. They also help out a lot when it comes to weight loss.

  • Leafy green vegetables are full of fiber and make you feel fuller then some other vegetables.
  • They have lots of nutrients that aid in muscle contraction and health. This makes them great for working out and for gaining muscle tissue. More muscles will help you burn more calories.
  • They are also full of water. Water is needed in order to burn fat. However, most people don’t get enough water.

But I Eat Salad!

Many people think that they get plenty of leafy green vegetables because they eat salad. The common lettuce used in many salads is iceberg lettuce which is full of water, but lacks on fiber and nutrients. Often these salads can quickly leave you hungry if you don’t have a lot of toppings.

You can eat a salad that really counts, but it needs to have Romain lettuce at the least. This is a mild tasting lettuce that has a lot more nutrients then iceberg, but not as much as broccoli, kale, collards, bok coy, cabbage, spinach, swiss chard, or beat greens. You can make your salad healthier by adding a stronger leafy green to the Romain lettuce.

Mixing It Up.

There are lots and lots of great options for leafy green vegetables. Trying more than one type will help you discover new foods and help you find things you like. Try collard, mustard, turnip, and beet greens. Aim for broccoli and give bok coy a try.

You should have at least one leafy green vegetable serving a day. Two or three is ideal according to many studies.

Adding Them To Your Diet.

It may seem difficult to get in enough greens, but you have a lot of options. You will need to try new things and be willing to experiment.

  • Add lots of leafy greens to your salad. Mix spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and a few greens to your salads. Top with an olive oil dressing and you have a great lunch.
  • Add them to soups, stews, and even pasta sauces.
  • Serve as a side dish. Cook in a small amount of seasoned water. Strain the water and use that as soup broth later on.

Leafy green vegetables can be a great part of a balanced diet that leads to weight loss. You can use a wide variety of greens. Have fun and experiment with them!

Category: The Best Weight Loss Articles!

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