Most Nutrient-Dense Veggies To Try

People come to One Love Fit Club in Chino Hills, CA, for a number of reasons. Sometimes, it’s to build strength or endurance. People often want to get healthier or lose weight. One way to shed pounds and boost your health is to eat more nutrient-dense veggies. Vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and fiber. Your body needs all those things to be its best. Most vegetables are low calorie, so when you increase the amount you eat, it also helps you lose weight.

Eating your leafy greens is important.

Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense veggies, but so is kale, another green leafy veggie. Spinach has vitamin K, vitamin A, lutein, beta carotene and is found to be heart healthy. Kale, the other nutrient dense leafy green, also contains vitamins A and K, but also vitamin C. Studies show that if you eat kale with a high carb meal, you may control your blood sugar levels. Kale juice also may help lower high blood pressure.

Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables provide lots of vitamins and phytochemicals.

Broccoli is an outstanding crucifer that is rich in glycosylate, a sulfur-containing compound. The glucosinolate has a byproduct known as sulforaphane, which may help protect against cancer. Broccoli also can decrease chronic inflammation, which is responsible for many serious conditions. It contains high amounts of vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, manganese and potassium, plus many other vitamins and minerals. Brussels sprouts is another crucifer that’s loaded with kaempferol. Kaempferol can help prevent oxidative damage to cells.

Beets are considered a superfood.

You probably have seen the latest rage over beets. They’re packed with all the goodness your body needs. They’re high in nitrates, which your body requires to produce nitric acid. Nitric acid helps the blood vessels dilate. By doing that, it lowers blood pressure. Many athletes also eat beets and drink beet juice, since it’s linked to athletic performance and endurance.

• Don’t forget garlic and onions. Both are alliums and contain allicin, which is beneficial for heart health and maintaining blood sugar levels. One study showed that just using garlic powder helped reduce insulin resistance.
• Carrots are also beneficial for increasing vitamin A. They contain beta carotene that the body converts to vitamin A. Carrots also may help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of lung cancer.
• Asparagus has lots of folate, which is important if you’re pregnant or considering having a baby. It also has been shown in animal studies to reduce oxidative stress, prevent damage to the kidneys and liver.
• Sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, similar to carrots. They contain a high amount of potassium, vitamins B6 and C, as well as manganese. It can help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

For more information, contact us today at One Love Fit Club