Antioxidant Veggies
If you have read some of our posts before, you know we love antioxidants! But all too often, it seems like fruits are the primary examples used for sources of antioxidants (hello, blueberries)--what about veggies?
Dark Green Veggies: These include foods like spinach, kale, collard greens, and broccoli, which are high in vitamins C, E, and A along with calcium, magnesium, and potassium. “These veggies are brimming with antioxidant phytochemicals such as kaempferol” and can make a delicious addition to any menu. If the taste of kale or broccoli is too harsh for you, consider preparing them with lemon. The citric acid will cut down on some of the bitterness and give your veggies a bright, refreshing quality perfect for summer salads.
Sweet Potatoes: These tubers aren’t just for fries! While both white and sweet potatoes “provide important nutrients such as vitamins C and B6, potassium, and fiber, sweet potatoes have more of these nutrients. They also bring to the table key nutrients such as calcium and whopping amounts of vitamin A.”[1]
Prunes: Okay, this one is not technically a vegetable, but prunes seem to often get lost in the antioxidant shuffle when compared to items like blueberries or acai. Although usually associated with gastrointestinal issues, prunes can do more than that and pack a real nutritional punch. “Black plums have 4,873 total antioxidants, and their dried counterpart, prunes pack 7,291 into just half a cup.”
Alfalfa Sprouts: “This tiny powerhouse is rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that [can] help maintain healthy skin, hair, nails, gums, glands, bones, and teeth. Alfalfa sprouts are also a good source of vitamin E, which may help prevent various health complications.”[2] Does anyone else feel like adding a handful to their next salad or sandwich? Because we sure do!
Beets: Beets are an incredibly nutritious root vegetable with tons of health benefits, including regulating your digestive system and increasing your stamina during workouts. Even more so, they are a great source of nutrients and antioxidants such as lutein, which can be very beneficial for eye health.[3]
There is so much good food out there that can be radically beneficial for your health. Your diet is such an important component of your body’s ability to work the way it should. Be sure to talk to your physician to see if they think adding some of these foods to your diet could be helpful for your personal wellness!
[1] Magee, Elaine. “10 Antioxidant Super Foods.” WebMD, WebMD, 2010, www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/10-super-foods#1.
[2] “20 Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables You Should Be Eating.” Reader's Digest, www.readersdigest.ca/food/healthy-food/antioxidant-rich-fruits-vegetables-eating/.
[3] Jung, Alyssa. “What You Don't Know About Beets: Health Benefits and Risks.” Reader's Digest, www.readersdigest.ca/food/healthy-food/health-benefits-of-beets/.