Monday, May 30, 2011

Top 5 Healthiest Vegetables

Not all vegetables are created equally. Each have their own strengths and merits, and eating a wide variety of vegetables daily is a good way to ensure you're getting you're body all the vitamins and minerals it needs. Some vegetables, though, are simply standout for their nutritional feats of heroism. Working more of these into your diet will certainly yield noticeable effects on your overall health and energy levels.

Kale

Greens, in general, are incredibly nutritious, but Kale tops the heap as the healthiest. 1 cup of boiled kale has over 1000% DV of vitamin K, 192% DV vitamin A, and 88% DV vitamin C, not to mention the high levels of manganese, dietary fiber, and copper. Vitamin K is an anti-inflammatory, which helps the cardiovascular system fight off heart disease. Vitamin A and C, as well as manganese, are anti-oxidants, which are proven cancer fighters of all kinds. Incorporating 2-3 cups of kale into your diet a week, you'll be able to experience the benefits associated with this miracle vegetable.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a delicious vegetable that can be enjoyed raw, steamed, boiled, baked, or saut?ed. The head of broccoli is, in fact, thousands of small flowers that have yet to emerge when the broccoli plant goes to seed. Plants naturally put as much energy as possible into their seeds, which is why broccoli is so nutritious. It has high levels of dietary fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Try to eat 2-3 cups of broccoli a week to receive all its health benefits.

Carrots

The etymology of the word carrot finds similar heritage with the nutrient beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is responsible for the orange and red hues found in carrots, denoting its high nutritional value. When ingested, beta-carotene is turned into vitamin A inside the body. A one cup serving of carrots packs in %680DV of vitamin A in just a few calories. Vitamin A is great for the eyes, helping to improve and maintain eye sight. It also functions as an anti-oxidant, making it a supreme cancer fighter. Who needs an overpriced vitamin A supplement when you can just eat a carrot a day?

Sweet Potato

The sweet potato is an unsung hero of nutrition. This easy to grow, incredibly hearty vegetable can grow in a variety of climates, and has provided the world with nutrients for centuries. An average sweet potato has 262% DV of vitamin A, as well as high levels of vitamin C and manganese. Try replacing the typical French fries in your life with sweet potato fries. Not only is it healthier, it's tastier, too!

Bell Peppers

Beautifully colored, bell peppers are sure to brighten up any plate. With brilliant yellow, green, red, orange, and even purple varieties, there are plenty to choose from. They have high levels of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin A, which make them a supremely nutritious summer treat. They are easy to incorporate into almost any meal - eat them raw or toss them in the stir fry!


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