It’s not easy being green, or is it?
Kale, spinach, broccoli, sprouts, carrot tops, cabbage and more provide a cornucopia of nutrients necessary for optimal healthy living. But WHY
is this colour critical to a happy, healthy body?
Here are six reasons to bring (and keep) you on the green side.
1. Poop. Yep we’re talking about your bowel movements.
Fibre means good poops and good poops are the key to eliminating toxins, keeping your cholesterol low and getting rid of hormones, like estrogen, that in excessive amounts can cause PMS symptoms, cramps, bloating and mood swings.
2. The Itty Bitty Bits. We’re talking about minerals here and some of the minerals in your daily dose of green will include Calcium,
Iron and
Magnesium. Why are these important? You know calcium’s crucial for bone health, but did you know it’s used for proper muscle contraction? Calcium and magnesium exist as ions in muscle and nerve cells that allow your nerves to tell your muscles how quickly and when to contract, contributing to the proper function of the neuromuscular junction.
3. Building Blocks. Your
dark, leafy greens contain essential amino acids - the building blocks of your body’s protein. These little molecules aren’t just for body builders; they’re used in nearly every reaction that takes place in your body and make up enzymes, cells, blood vessels and more.
4. For Your Eyeballs. Jam-packing your meals with greens will add vitamins coming from real food - not from a pill. Beta-carotene, the precursor to vitamin A, is exceptionally high in dark leafy greens and is touted for its positive effect on vision, but is also necessary for immune defenses and maintenance of the gut, skin and respiratory tract cells.
5. Energy Density. Greens are full of fibre. Fibre means a full tummy.
Adding greens to your diet is a great way to keep the mid-morning grumbles away as it slows the transit time of your meals through your gut. This means fewer fluctuations in blood sugar and a more stable flow of energy through your day.
6. It’s About Numbers. No, not calories! On top of keeping your belly full longer, your greens are adding to your 7-10 fruits and veggies per day as recommended by Canada’s Food Guide. Let’s be serious, how many of you eat
10 servings of veggies in one day?
Besides being a great conversation piece, your daily doses of greens are doing wonders for your bod.
From boosting your energy to improving your poops you’re signing yourself up for glowing, whole-body-healthy, goodness - stay green!
Keen to give your body a spring clean this year, but don't want to give up your tasty meals? Us too. The 21-Day Eat Clean Challenge is designed for health-conscious foodies like you. Sign up now to start May 4th!
Bri Botsford from Toronto, Ontario
Bri Botsford is an Ironman Triathlete and Registered Yoga Teacher turned Naturopathic Medical Student living in downtown Toronto. As a T-dot newcomer, she finds the city to be one big yoga mat – you’ll find her popping up into handstand, backbend or warrior from the Danforth to Etobicoke, and bending or running along the Lakeshore. She’s known to make killer raw chocolate, groovy green juices and has an intense fear of escalators.
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