Dark Leafy Greens [Natural Weight Loss Blog Series]

How Dark Leafy Greens Help With Weight Loss Leafy green vegetables are one of the healthiest and most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Eating foods with high nutrient levels will keep you satiated longer thereby reducing cravings, because your body is getting the nutrition that it needs.

Leafy greens are low in calories and they’re a great source of fiber, which digests slowly and therefore keeps your stomach feeling full for a longer period of time.

The fiber in leafy green vegetables also helps regulate your blood sugar levels. Keeping your blood sugar in check will make it easier for you to lose fat and prevent weight gain.

Choosing Dark Leafy Greens

The best way to choose your leafy greens is by looking at the color of the vegetable: the darker, the better. Darker vegetables have higher levels of antioxidants and more nutrients, so they’ll keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.

If you really want to supercharge your weight loss, start adding collard greens, cabbage, kale and bok choy to your diet. These dark, leafy greens are also cruciferous vegetables, so they pack a powerful nutritional boost. They’re heartier and contain more fiber than other greens.

How to Prepare Dark Leafy Green Vegetables

One the easiest ways to get greens in your diet on a daily basis is to add them to a fruit smoothie. This may sound unappealing, but when you add raw greens into a smoothie, such as spinach or chard, you can’t taste them. Cooking greens is quick and easy. Simply sauté some garlic and onion with coconut oil, add your washed greens to the pan and stir fry until they’re tender. Add soy sauce, gluten-free tamari, or simply sprinkle with sea salt.

If you find the collard greens or kale to taste bitter, like I do, you can blanche them in boiling water for a couple of minutes before sautéing them. To do this, bring a pot of water to a boil, add your greens to the pot, let them cook for two minutes, drain in a colander, and then sauté in a pan with coconut oil.

xxoxx Amber Nicole