No one can argue the health benefits of eating more greens. When you were told as a kid to “eat your vegetables,” there was a good reason for it! Leafy greens are among the healthiest foods on the planet. Full of nutrients and fiber, yet low in calories, they can be consumed in small amounts and still leave you feeling satiated. Or you can eat them by the pound if you wish—you won’t hear any objections from me!
Now for the hard part: you may detest the taste of greens. So how do you get them into your diet when you can’t stand to swallow them without gagging? Here are a few “tricks of the trade,” if you will. Some of my best-kept secrets for getting more healthy, leafy green vegetables into anyone’s diet, whether you LOVE eating kale and spinach, or you dread it like a 4-year-old who was just sent to his room with a plate of broccoli and told he couldn’t have a cookie until he finished it…
Tip #1: Drink a green smoothie for breakfast.
Before you dismiss this as a terrible idea, there are some great ways to mask the taste of kale and spinach in your breakfast smoothie. Add a banana and a splash of your favorite fresh-squeezed fruit juice, and I guarantee you won’t even be able to taste the greens. Or try a scoop chocolate protein powder with banana and almond butter. You could even do a plant-based protein, as those usually already contain greens of some sort already.
#2: Add spinach to your scrambled eggs or pancakes.
You can blend the spinach into the pancake batter (again, you won’t even be able to taste it.) Or if you don’t mind the taste, scrambled eggs with spinach sautéed in is one of my favorite morning meals.
#3: Eat green vegetables as a side with dinner.
Broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, peas, asparagus, spinach … the options are endless. This trick is more for those crazy people who actually like green veggies. (Raises hand.)
#4: Take a “green” supplement.
Maximized Living Max Greens are chock full of green superfoods to boost your immune system and aid your body in natural detoxification. If you don’t like eating your greens, you can always drink them or take them in pill form instead! However, we do recommend trying to at least get in some real, leafy greens with at least one your meals every day. Supplements are great, but they should not be used as an excuse to skip out on your vegetables!
#5: Eat a mixed greens salad for lunch.
This, along with a good green supplement, is a great way to ensure you get enough greens into your diet. Of of my favorite recipes: raw, mixed greens topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, crumbled goat cheese, avocado, and drizzled with olive oil and sea salt. YUM!
What are some other ways you manage to sneak more green veggies into your diet? Share your tricks with us in the comments section below!