There is a reason why you have been asked, since your childhood days, by your parents and grandparents, to eat a colourful plate of food. It is because green, red and yellow foods are filled with essential nutrients and minerals. Through these colors, nature has found a smart way to add nutrition to your daily diet. You know that yellow and red foods help us.
Let us find out the ways in which green foods help you by providing you with numerous health benefits, in this blog by leading Dietician and Nutritionist, Avni Kaul.
Low in fat –Green foods are low in fat. Filled with several vitamins, they help your body in eliminating unnecessary fat.
Regeneration of new cells –Folic acid helps your body in forming and maintaining new cells. Green foods such as peas, beans, and asparagus are filled with folic acid.
Good for digestion –Green foods like cabbage, broccoli, leafy greens, and beans are fiber-filled foods. It makes them good for digestion which leads to a healthy digestive tract.
Great for eyes – Phytochemicals such as lutein and zeaxanthin are present in dark green leafy vegetables. These lower the risk factor of cataracts and macular degeneration, which is the major cause of blindness in the elderly. These have also been found to reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.
Diabetic friendly – The Glycemic index or GI is the measurement of carbohydrate-filled foods and their effect on our blood sugar levels. Green foods are low in GI and hence helpful for those suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Helps immunity – Green foods are full of beta carotene which get converted into vitamin A. Eating green foods helps in enhanced immune functioning.
Bones and muscles friendly –Green foods are a good source of iron and calcium. They support our body by getting stronger bones, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.
Anti-cancerous –Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that is present in green foods. This flavonoid has antioxidants and contains anti-cancer properties.
If you are among those who still do not like to eat green-coloured food, think again considering the various health benefits these have to offer.
Avni Kaul is Founder of Nutriactivania with Masters Degree in Food and Nutrition from University of Delhi and is also a Certified Diabetes Educator from Project Hope and International Diabetes Federation. She is a Leicester Mammas Ambassador trained in Lactation Counselling with NHS United Kingdom. Mammas support pregnant and new mothers and their families. Specializations of Avni Kaul Include Infant and Young Child Feeding Practises, Pre and Post natal diets, Fat loss, Muscle Gain and Holistic Health and Nutrition