St. Patrick’s Day is almost here and there’s no better time to celebrate all things green! And while wearing green and drinking green beer while eating corned beef and cabbage tends to be the most popular ways to celebrate, your St. Patrick’s Day festivities can also include delicious, nutrient-rich fruit, vegetables, and herbs.
Here are eight healthy, green foods to enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day and every other day of the year!
- Avocados
Whether enjoyed smashed on toast, tossed in a salad, spread on a sandwich, starring in guacamole, or eaten fresh from the skin, you can never have enough avocados in your diet! In addition to being healthy and delicious, this buttery fruit is filled with nutrient-rich properties and is the only fruit that provides a substantial amount of healthy fatty acids. Avocados also contain approximately 20 different vitamins and minerals, including pantothenic acid, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins K, B6, E, and C.
- Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are not only an excellent source of vitamins C and K but also rich with essential B vitamins (such as B6 and B1), protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. And if that isn’t appealing enough, Brussels sprouts look like miniature versions of cabbage (because they are both part of the brassica family), making them perfect for your St. Patrick’s Day feast!
- Broccoli
Like broccoli, Brussels sprouts stem from the cruciferous vegetable family and share many of the same immune boosting properties. Broccoli is also high in fiber, which helps with digestion, lowering blood sugar, and curbing overeating. Broccoli may also contain cancer-fighting properties, making it particularly beneficial for breast cancer and uterine cancer as it helps remove extra estrogen from the body.
- Limes
Not only are limes great for adding a fresh zest to virtually any meal but also a reliable source for centuries old medicinal uses. The health benefits of lime include (but are not limited to) skin care, improved digestion, and treating a few diseases such as respiratory disorders, gout, and scurvy. Like many citrus fruits of its kind, limes are considered a diabetes superfood because the high levels of soluble fiber help regulate the body’s absorption of sugar. They also help rejuvenate the skin and help protect it from infections.
- Mint
One of the most versatile herbs, mint may be used in tea, blended into smoothies, added to water, used as a palate cleanser, or as a light garnish. Mint leaves deliver many benefits including promoting digestion and soothing stomachaches, headaches, and migraines. Mint is also a natural stimulant, which helps create a feeling of clarity and alertness on days your head feels like it’s in a fog.
- Green Tea
Drinking green tea is quite beneficial to the human body. Like other teas, green tea is made of Camellia sinensis leaves, but unlike oolong, white or black teas, green tea is processed in a way that creates a different level of oxidation. As such, green tea has been shown to boost metabolism and aid the body in detoxifying naturally. It has also been said that green tea can delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, protect brain cells from dying, and restore damaged brain cells. (Matcha green tea has the nutritional equivalent of 10 cups of traditional green tea!)
- Chives
Related to the onion, chives not only contain the daily dose of vitamin K, which is your source of healthy bones, but also assist in the regulation of cells that help to prevent bone demineralization. The sulfides and other unique organic compounds found in chives also deliver garlic-esque benefits and can effectively ease digestive discomfort.
- Kiwi
Kiwis are a nutrient-dense fruit full of vitamin C and antioxidants, which studies have shown can help treat people with asthma. Kiwis also contain elevated levels of zeaxanthin and lutein, both of which protect our eyes from harmful high-energy light waves such as ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Regular consumption of kiwis can significantly reduce your risk of vision loss!
