When you think of green, iceberg lettuce or romaine may come to mind. However, there are hundreds of different types of salad greens. Incorporating more types of greens in your green salad can improve its nutritious content.
Here are the top picks!
What should you put in your green salad?
Iceberg lettuce
It has a mild flavor and a crisp texture. It is loaded with vitamin K, which has been shown to aid in blood clotting, and vitamin A, which has been shown to support eye health. Vitamin A can help prevent age-related vision loss and even improve vision in low light. If you suffer from night blindness, you may benefit from increasing your intake of this vitamin.
Romaine Lettuce
If you like Caesar salads, the major ingredient is romaine lettuce, which has long, firm leaves and a crisp texture. Calcium is important for bone growth and maintenance, as well as for muscle, neuron, and blood-clotting function. Vitamin C supports the immune system and is high in antioxidants. It contains Potassium too, that helps with heart health.
Arugula
This salad green has a peppery, pungent flavor. It is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent or reverse cell damage. Arugula also contains glucosinolates, which are organic compounds that give the plant its bitter flavor and potent aroma and may shield you from certain cancers like breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers.
Butterhead Lettuce
In addition to protecting your eyes from macular degeneration, a condition that can cause partial vision loss, butterhead lettuce has a mild flavor, vivid green leaves, and a buttery texture. It also contains more iron than other lettuces.
Watercress
The antioxidants in watercress, particularly the carotenoids, have been associated with lower blood pressure, a lower chance of heart disease, and an even lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. it is also rich in Vitamin C and aids in collagen production. Watercress has a peppery flavor and can assist in maintaining heart health.
Red and green leaves
In addition to being more perishable than other types of lettuce, these loose leaves may also decrease blood pressure, promote weight loss, and improve heart health.
Curly endive
Also known as frisée, this bitter-tasting vegetable that is high in vitamin A, K, and C. It also includes phosphorus, potassium, and dietary fiber, with the darker green leaves providing more nutrients than the lighter green ones.
Belgian endive
To avoid bitter flavor and black foliage, this plant is grown in darkness. Endive also has a number of health advantages. Fiber, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A, C, and E are all abundant in the leaves. It contains less sodium, sugar, and fat. Additionally, it has inulin, a carbohydrate that increases hunger and facilitates digestion.
Escarole
It has a little bitter flavor and is a member of the endive family. Many of the nutritional advantages of other, more popular greens like spinach, romaine, and kale are also present in this leafy, dark green vegetable. It contains a lot of folate as well as numerous other vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The leaf is minimal in calories and has hardly any carbs or fat, promoting gut health.
Is eating a green salad every day good for you?
Leafy greens offer a huge nutritional benefit. Some of the best super greens are kale, spinach, beet greens, watercress, and Romaine lettuce. However, eating only salads may prevent you from getting all of the necessary nutrients. However, salads and fruit are healthy and are worth including in a weight loss diet.
Learn more about Nutrition Facts here.
[embed-health-tool-bmr]
