While these benefits and nutrients are essential for every body no matter how old, they’re particularly important for kids. Calcium is central in developing healthy and strong bones and teeth. Greens also boost the immune system, which can keep your little ones from getting sick. And we all know how much they need this boost when they are trading germs at school or on the playground! Since their bodies are growing so fast (even if we want them to stay small and tiny), they need all the vitamins and nutrients they can get. Getting your kiddos to enjoy vegetables early on is essential. Starting good food habits early and getting them accustomed to green veggies nourishes them now and as they get older. It’s your job to set them up for success! The Benefits of Green Vegetables Here is a list of reasons why you need to include those Greens in your Diet, for optimal health. They are rich in Vitamins and Minerals. From vitamins A and C to minerals like magnesium and iron, greens are packed with a whole lot of goodness. All leafy greens have an abundant store of nature’s vitamins. However, kale, spinach, moringa, and cabbage are known for their superior vitamin content. You get a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and, B6 from these vegetables. Help in maintaining weight. Thinking of ‘low-calorie foods’? You want to opt for those greens! A high antioxidant content. Wonder why this is important? It helps reduce the risk of cancer, and even heart disease. They are an invaluable source of fibre. We all need plenty of fibre, if we want our digestive systems to operate smoothly. Green leaves have good fiber content which makes you feel satisfied after you consume them. Fiber also provides various other health benefits. Boosting the immune system. Want to keep all future infections at bay? Eat plenty of greens! Low-fat content– These leafy greens save you from consuming fats and lipids as they have nearly zero fat content. English Names of Green Vegetables for Children 4 Tips for Kid-Friendly Leafy Greens People often get intimidated by cooking and eating darker varieties of greens due to their intense flavors. Try these tips for enhancing the flavor of different varieties to make them more enticing: Overcome the bitterness of collard and mustard greens by braising them at a low temperature for an extended period of time, and adding a pinch of brown sugar at the end of cooking. Remove the tough stems to reduce cooking time and avoid over-cooked greens. For kale, be sure to choose the right variety. Tougher curly kale is best for adding to soups or stews or for braising. Tender lacinato and baby kale are best in salads. Preserve nutrients by sautéing greens, rather than boiling. Sauté blanched greens with olive oil, onion and garlic to add flavor. Add chopped nuts for additional heart-healthy fats. Sprinkle lemon zest over the sautéed greens to brighten the flavor. Do not use lemon juice as it will turn the leaves brown. Make a salad with tender greens such as spinach or baby kale. To expose kids to dark greens, try tossing together a salad made half with familiar lettuce and half with a dark green one. Add a citrus-based dressing, which will help balance the strong flavor of the greens and aid in the absorption of iron found in the greens. Cooked v/s Uncooked Greens There has been a lot of discussion and research on the change in the nutritional makeup of leafy vegetables after cooking. Studies suggest that there is a considerable loss in the number of vitamins and minerals after cooking. If you want to utilize the maximum amount of nutrients from these veggies you should eat them uncooked. Many people love to consume these greens in the form of salads, green smoothies, and juices, as they not only provide you with abundant nutrition but also save you from the additional oil and spices added to your greens while cooking. This makes a good anti-inflammatory diet. It’s finally time to navigate our way through that Vegetables Name List, and discover the names of Green Vegetables, along with their unique benefits. Kale: Benefits: Packed with antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein, that help reduce the risk of diseases that might stem from oxidative stress. Spinach: Tasting much like Kale, this is the Veggie that Popeye ordered! Benefits: Its high folate content helps the body produce red blood cells. Broccoli: Certainly one of the most interesting-looking vegetables, and hugely popular, too.Benefits: If you want to prevent falling prey to diabetes and obesity, make sure you eat plenty of broccoli! Peas: Who doesn’t love recipes that include these delightful little veggies?Benefits: Apart from being packed with vitamins, they are an invaluable source of dietary fibre. Cabbage: These clusters of thick leaves are great for your health!Benefits: They are known to contain glucosinolates, which might protect one against cancer. Romaine Lettuce: Are you a fan of Caesar’s Salad? Those leafy greens it contains, are none other than romaine lettuce.Benefits: Apart from that ‘crunch’ it endows your eating experience with, this one reduces the risk of heart disease through enhancing the level of blood lipids. Cucumber: Perhaps one of the more common items in everyone’s kitchen, this one.Benefits: Want to stay hydrated? Eat plenty of cucumbers! Also, it’s laced with the essential vitamins A and K. Arugula: Yet another veggie, commonly found in hip health cafes.Benefits: This one’s a great source of dietary nitrates, that might help in reducing blood pressure. Artichoke: The cool name of this vegetable is not the only interesting thing about it! Benefits: Known to have anti-aging properties, artichoke is also believed to decrease the chances of breast cancer. LadyfingerBenefits: This one’s packed with Folate, Iron and Vitamin K, that are all believed to help manage anaemia. Collard Greens: Did you know that the name of these comes from ‘Colewort’, that means ‘The Wild Cabbage Plant’?Benefits: These are one of the best sources of vitamin K, that is known to assist in blood clotting. Apart from that, they are rich in vitamins A and B9. Watercress: This one’s actually an aquatic plant, not unlike mustard greens.Benefits: This one has been used in herbal medicines since time immemorial, owing to its healing properties. Edamame: This exotic vegetable is quite the rage at Japanese restaurants.Benefits: Looking for a great ‘vegetable’ source of protein? This one’s it! Mint:Benefits: This one’s great for treating the cold, and even masking bad breath. Bok ChoyBenefits: Laced with selenium, that’s essential for cognitive function and even, cancer prevention. Zucchini: Ever tried eating ‘Zucchini Noodles’? One of the more inventive ways to consume this Power Vegetable.Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, Zucchini is also a good source of Folate and Vitamin A. References: Eat right org Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics https://www.eatright.org/food/food-groups/vegetables/how-to-get-your-kids-to-eat-dark-leafy-greens https://www.eurokidsindia.com/blog/nutritional-power-of-leafy-greens.php
