Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

When I read the book “Transition to Vegetarianism – An Evolutionary Step” by Rudolph Ballantine during the 1990ies, I had been surprised by his emphasis on dark green leafy vegetables. If you read about dark green leafy vegetables nowadays, you find praises like:

·         nutritional powerhouses filled with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients

·         rich in chlorophyll

·         No. 1 food

·         brimming with fiber along with vitamins, minerals, and plant-based substances t

·         excellent source of vitamins A C, and K

·         supplies folate and potassium

·         treasure trove of nutrients

·         containing a host of phytochemicals, such as lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene

·         run the whole gamut of flavors

·         abundance of carotenoids-antioxidants

·         protecting bones from osteoporosis (vitamin K)

You might think that these people got carried away, but the truth is, dark green leafy vegetables are of great nutritional value.

Here is a selection of dark green leafy vegetables in alphabetical order:

·         arugula (rucola, colewort)

·         bok choy

·         broccoli

·         Brussels sprouts

·         butterhead (lettuce)

·         cabbage

·         cauliflower greens

·         chickweed (more common in Europe, unless you plant it in your garden [Vogelmiere])

·         collard greens

·         dandelion greens

·         green leaf

·         kale (borecole, curly kale)

·         mustard greens

·         radish greens

·         red clover

·         romaine

·         rucola (arangula, colewort)

·         plantain greens

·         Savoy cabbage

·         spinach

·         turnip leaves

·         Swiss chard (mangold)

·         Watercress

Some are great for salads (raw), others are better cooked, some could be added to smoothies. Have some each day!

Links/Referencies:

Ballantine, Rudolph M.D.: Transition to Vegetarianism – An evolutionary step. Himalayan Institute Press, 1987.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/list-dark-green-leafy-vegetables-1647.html

http://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/leafy-greens-rated

https://vegetarian-nutrition.info/green-leafy-vegetables/

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