When it comes to a healthy salad, we say ‘the greener the better’! Adding a wide variety of the healthiest salad greens to your diet is the perfect way to hit your daily vitamin and nutrient goals. They're also tasty, fresh and low in calories - what's not to love?
Today, we've rounded up the 7 healthiest salad greens that should make it to your next veggie bowl. By tossing them into your daily meals, you'll enjoy a perfect blend of taste and good health. So, let's get cooking!
1. KALE: POWER-PACKED WITH VITAMINS
Nutrition Facts (per 21gms cup): Vitamin A: 1598 IU | Vitamin C: 19 mg | Potassium: 79mg | Calories: 7kcal
Kale's popularity has exploded in recent times, with several healthy salad recipes incorporating them in their list of greens. It's easy to see why - this low-calorie superfood is packed with powerful antioxidants that keep you looking and feeling young.
Just one cup of kale is packed with almost 30% of your daily requirement of Vitamin A, which protects organs from damage and maintains the health of our skin and vital organs.
Moreover, it's a fantastic source of Vitamin C (30% of RDA) that helps keep your immune system in top shape and your skin, bones, and teeth healthy.
Best Way To Enjoy Kale: Its hearty, crunchy texture and earthy flavor make for a delicious add-on to most salads. To retain its nutrition, it's a good idea to eat kale in its raw form.
If you find raw kale slightly bitter, lightly sauté (if you can, add the accent over the first e) it with garlic and olive oil over low heat.
2. WATERCRESS: FOR HEALTHY SKIN & BONES
Nutrition Facts (per 34 gms cup, chopped): Calcium: 41 mg | Vitamin C: 14 mg | Potassium: 112 mg | Calories: 3 kcal
A close relative of mustard, the delicate watercress leaves have a wonderful spicy flavor that awakens your senses. But these aromatic greens are also one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, with one cup fulfilling 20% of your RDA.
Vitamin C is the proverbial foundation of youth, as it keeps our skin's collagen levels high, making for young, supple skin. Watercress is also loaded with Vitamin A and folate, which helps in cell regeneration and protects you from various cancers.
Best Way To Enjoy Watercress: Its leaves are so delicate and aromatic, that the best way to eat them is to simply toss them raw into your salad. This will retain their nutrients and give you a strong, aromatic experience with every bite.