One thing I see almost every week is an email from an incredulous client telling me how adding one food to their diet made them feel better, almost immediately.
Case in point…this recent email from Effortless Eating Program client Amy:
“I can’t believe what a difference adding _______ every day has made to my energy level. I’m starting to think I may have had a vitamin deficiency!”
Drumroll, please. 😉
Greens. That’s right…the dark, leafy kind.
And while kale is the darling du jour of the dark leafy greens world, there are lots of other options.
Here are my favorites:
- Spinach (My go-to for green smoothies.)
- Arugula (A great salad base, especially if you like a little spicy flavor.)
- Bok choy (I like to sauté this in sesame oil and tamari soy sauce.)
- Swiss chard (Try this recipe.)
- Broccoli (Roasted with coconut oil. Yum!)
Throw them in salads and smoothies. Or sauté them with olive oil and garlic for a veggie side to almost any main dish. You can even “cheat” (like I do at least…well, almost every day) and use the frozen broccoli you keep in your freezer or the bag of pre-washed baby spinach tucked in your fridge. Not really cheats in my book; just smart back up planning. 🙂
So why do these magical plants give such an immediate energy boost to most people?
Amy’s comment about having a vitamin deficiency could be spot on: Greens are loaded with calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and Vitamins A, C, E, and K, not to mention a bunch of fiber and other micronutrients and phytochemicals. Any one of these – or all of them together – could be responsible for Amy’s energy boost.
And I promise you: If you start adding greens into your diet every day, you’ll get the same boost.
Tell me in the comments: What’s one green that you could eat more of this week?
P.S. Curious about how I can help you reach your health goals and feel like your most vibrant and gorgeous self? Start here.
