insideKENT Magazine Issue 86 - May 2019 | Page 124

HEALTH+WELLNESS
GREEN GOODNESS
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR PERFECT MEAL?
IS IT A BIG, JUICY ROAST? A BOWL FULL OF WARMING SOUP? DELICATE CANAPÉS? LOVELY,
STODGY PUDS? IT COULD BE ANY OR ALL OF THE ABOVE, AND PLENTY MORE BESIDES. IT’S
PRETTY RARE THAT SOMEONE CHOOSES A STEAMING PLATE OF BROCCOLI OR CABBAGE, OR
PERHAPS, TO BE REALLY ON TREND, KALE, AS THE FOOD THEY MOST CRAVED.
The problem is, it is these green veggies that are
possibly the very best things we can eat, and we
could all do with adding more of them to our diets.
Still not convinced? Here are some of the reasons
to eat your greens!
One of the easiest ways to enjoy cruciferous greens
more is to add them to smoothies and juices, or even
soups. They barely have any calories so you can eat
as much as you want.
Green Herbs
Cruciferous Greens
Cruciferous greens are foods like collards, kale and
Swiss chard, and really, when it comes to vegetables,
these are the best of the best. They are stocked full
of magnesium, potassium, fibre and magnesium and
they help to lower blood pressure, keeping everyone
calmer and healthier – lower blood pressure reduces
the chances of stroke and heart disease.
Cruciferous greens are also loaded with antioxidants,
vitamins and minerals. All together, studies have
shown that this can mean you will be less liable to
developing chronic illnesses.
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Herbs such as basil, dill and parsley shouldn’t be
forgotten when we’re talking about getting more
healthy greens into our diets. What’s really great
about fresh herbs is that they can liven up any meal,
and adding the right flavour combinations is a fun
way to make even everyday dishes taste wonderful.
Plus, of course, they’re good for you. Something like
sage has been shown to improve memory, for
example, and peppermint reduces pain from IBS
and stomach complaints. Basil improves immunity
and fights infections. Rosemary reduces the symptoms
of the common cold. The list goes on, so spruce up
your dinner with some herbs and your health will
certainly improve.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a wonderful source of vitamin C (which
boosts the immune system, builds collagen (which
in turn builds bone and tissue) and heals wounds)
and vitamin K (which helps with blood clotting and
keeps you safe if you are injured). On top of this,
broccoli also has plenty of fibre in it which improves
digestive health and lowers cholesterol. Then there’s
the folate in broccoli too; this helps to create and
maintain new cells.
Broccoli isn’t to everyone’s taste and it can get pretty
watery when it is boiled up, so instead try eating it
raw or add it uncooked to a tasty stir fry.