Green foods may be one of the most commonly thought of foods when someone says “healthy foods”, and quite possibly the first food for someone to chime in and say they don’t like… But made the right way, with the right flavors, anything can be good! Check out why green foods are important and some ideas on how to make them a little more interesting.
Examples of green foods: Artichokes, avocado, bean sprouts, bell peppers, broccoli, broccoli sprouts, cabbage, celery, edamame, green beans, green peas, beet greens, kale, green chard, mustard greens, spinach, okra, watercress, alfalfa sprouts, kiwi, green apples, limes, olives, pears, tomatillos, jalapeños, zucchini, other peppers, and any others!
Effect of green foods:
Green foods help to support your circulatory system - your heart! Pumping blood effectively throughout your body is a very important job for many reasons, but specifically while playing sports your body needs a constant delivery system of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles for them to function properly. Nutrient dense foods, like green foods, act to keep your heart running as a well oiled machine. It is ensuring that your heart has everything it needs to function at top shape when you need it to. While green foods contain numerous nutrients, here is a breakdown of a few:
Polyphenols - Aid in keeping your blood vessels healthy and flexible, allowing blood to travel efficiently throughout the body. They can also help lower chronic inflammation through their antioxidant properties.
Vitamin K - Helps your bones continue to develop and become stronger. Your bone structure continues to develop until around age 30. When your bones are growing, it is important that they have the building material needed. Without adequate vitamins and minerals, the bone structure does not build as strong, predisposing you to injury. Once your bones are done growing, it continues to be pertinent that you obtain adequate vitamins and minerals (calcium, magnesium, vitamin K and D to name a few) in order to keep your bones healthy and strong. If you do not consume adequate amounts to keep a balance of these nutrients in your blood, your bones will donate the stored nutrients to ensure your heart and other organs are able to function properly.
Potassium/Magnesium - Electrolytes that are found in many fruits and vegetables that aid in keeping fluid balanced in your cells, keeping you hydrated and your muscles functioning.
Recipes:
Commentaires