The Healthiest Vegetables on the Planet
You can’t leave the table until you’ve finished all of your vegetables! Are you getting flashbacks from your childhood? For many of us, eating the proper amount of nutritional vegetables hasn’t always been easy. Sure, we would all love to eat candies and cake all day long, but our bodies would soon be crying out for help. We need healthy fruits and vegetables to survive and live life to its fullest.
However, just because you have to eat your veggies doesn’t mean you couldn’t be getting more bang for your buck. If you pick vegetables with superior nutritional value, then you won’t have to eat as many.
For example, yes, celery is a low-calorie snack, but it comes up a little short when it comes to nutritional value. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t eat celery, but if you are picky with vegetables, it may be more worth your time to eat a vegetable that offers a bit more nutrition. Also, tomatoes are a fruit, so we’re not even gonna go there (although powerhouse fruits they are).
At Outstanding Foods, we know a thing or two about plant-based nutrition, and today, we’re going to spill the beans! We are going to walk you through the ins and outs of the healthiest vegetables that mother earth has to offer so that you can get the most out of your veggies. We will even give you a few pointers on how to sneakily squeeze more vegetables into your diet. We promise that it’s gonna be fun!
The ABCs Of Veggies
Veggies, veggies as far as the eye can see. Okay, maybe don’t fill your fridge up with too many veggies. After all, there is nothing stinker than a spoiled vegetable that you forgot to eat. Stick to buying as many as you can reasonably eat. Just make sure that you include some of these super healthy vegetables—they’re the best of the best!
Asparagus Is Amazing
Asparagus is one of our favorite springtime vegetables. It is rich in vitamin K, selenium, thiamin, and riboflavin. Plus, one serving of asparagus contains one-third of your folate needs for the day. This veggie is delicious when roasted with garlic, lemon, and parmesan and served as a main dish or a side dish.
Fun fact about asparagus: From seed to harvest, asparagus takes three years to get on your plate. Although, once the plant has matured, asparagus can grow up to seven inches in one day!
Broccoli Is Bussin’
Broccoli is not only super tasty, but it’s also super healthy. Just one cup of broccoli has 116% of your daily vitamin K and 135% of your daily vitamin C. It also has a good amount of folate, potassium, and manganese.
One of the best things about broccoli is how versatile it is. You can roast, steam, stirfry, or blend this healthy veggie into a soup. How do you like your broccoli?
Brussels Sprouts Are Bomb
Brussels sprouts often get a bad rap for being a stinky vegetable, but if you’ve ever had roasted Brussels sprouts at a restaurant, then you know just how delicious these tasty little sprouts can be.
But these beauties don’t just taste great; they are also one of the healthiest veggies out there. Brussel Sprouts are packed with nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, potassium, and manganese.
Carrots Are Cool
Carrots are just as delicious as they are good for you. Just one cup of carrots contains 428% of the daily recommended values of vitamin A. They are also high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.
Ever wonder why carrots are orange? That’s because they are packed with beta-carotene—the antioxidant that gives carrots their vibrant orange color.
You can steam, roast, juice, or simply eat carrots raw. These tasty vegetables aren’t just for rabbits; they are super healthy for you as well! It’s like “Trix are for kids,” but in reverse.
Collard Greens Are Crazy Good
Collard greens will help you grow strong, healthy bones. No, seriously! These leafy greens are super high in calcium which makes them great for building strong bones and healthy teeth. They are also high in antioxidants and are a pretty decent source of protein for all you vegans out there. Next time you find yourself looking for comfort food side dishes, make sure you don’t skip out on the collard greens!
Garlic Is Great
As if we needed a reason to love garlic even more? Garlic has been used as a medicinal food for thousands of years. It helps regulate blood sugar, promotes heart health, and may even improve bone health.
But the best part about garlic is that it tastes delicious! Add garlic as a seasoning on some of these other vegetables, and you will have a meal that is both nutritious and delicious.
Ginger Is Good
Ginger is a yummy addition to a stirfry or cookies! This versatile veggie can also reduce nausea, alleviate inflammation, and may decrease blood pressure. Ginger can also help alleviate indigestion symptoms. It has so many healthy nutrients that it’s basically a superfood! Try making a tea with ginger, lemon, and honey for a cozy and healthy treat.
Kale Is Krazy
Kale is without a doubt the most talked-about leafy green in the last few years. But does it live up to its clout? Short answer, yes! Kale is filled with tons of nutrients that your body needs, including potassium, vitamin B, calcium, and copper. Also, one serving of kale contains your entire daily requirement of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Make your next salad with kale; it truly is a superfood!
Peas Are Poppin’
Peas are a classic vegetable for a reason; they are good for you! No, we’re not in cahoots with your mom. Peas really are super nutritious, and when prepared correctly, they can be quite delicious. Peas are a good source of fiber, protein, vitamin A, C and K, thiamin, niacin, folate, and riboflavin.
If you don’t speak nutrition language, allow us to translate: peas are super duper good for you, and you should eat them!
Red Cabbage Is Ridiculous
Think you’ve never seen a red cabbage? Think again. Red cabbage is that distinctly purple variety of cabbage that is found in most slaws and some sauerkraut. This beautiful vegetable is full of nutrients, including vitamin C, antioxidants, fiber, and anthocyanins—the plant compound gives it that gorgeous purple color.
This veggie can be eaten raw, sauteed, braised, or fermented, making it a delicious and versatile side dish.
Spinach Is Special
Kale may have gotten a lot of the hype the last few years, but we could never forget about spinach. Spinach is a nutritious dark leafy green that is rich in antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein. Just one cup of spinach contains 56% of your daily vitamin A and 100% of your daily vitamin K.
This low-calorie veggie is a great veggie for those of us who are a bit picky with our greens. Its mild taste makes it the perfect green to throw into a smoothie.
Snacking For Success
Looking for a way to sneak more veggies into your diet without eating a plate of roasted vegetables every night? Then you’re going to love our collection of nutritious plant-based snack foods. We’re all about eating healthy, but that doesn’t mean that you should have to sacrifice the addictive crunching sensation you get from eating a yummy bag of chips. You just need to snack smarter!
Outstanding Puffs Snacks
Introducing Outstanding Puffs! These crunchy puffs are addictively delicious and packed with plant-based nutrients so that you can down an entire bag and feel good about it. Each bag contains 21 grams of protein to power you up while still satisfying your snack craving. Take Out Puffs are a fantastic source of iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. They are also non-GMO, gluten-free, certified plant-based, soy-free, kosher, and have zero trans fat.
These tasty puffs come in four flavors: Pizza Party, White Chedda, Hella Hot, and Chill Ranch. Trust us; once you crunch down on your first puff, you won’t be able to get enough of these delicious, crispy bites of plant-based goodness. So go ahead and eat the whole bag; you can count it as one of your veggies for the day.
Wrap Up
Now you are a pro on all the top vegetables—but guess what? The list doesn’t even stop here. We didn’t even get to all those other slammin’ veggies like onions, sweet potatoes, and cauliflower. And don’t even get us started on fruits—blueberries and cranberries, anyone?
Eat healthy by incorporating these nutritious veggies into your diet and when you don’t feel like vegging out, grab a bag of Outstanding Puffs for equally healthy snacking.
Sources:
3 Veggies With the Least Nutritional Value | SELF
All Blogs 8 Absolutely Interesting Facts for Asparagus Lovers | Visit Stockton
Folic Acid vs. Folate — What's the Difference? | Healthline
11 Proven Health Benefits of Garlic | Healthline
11 Health Benefits of Ginger: Effect on Nausea, the Brain & More | Healthline