Top of the morning to you! How’s everyone doing this St. Patrick’s Day? I’m sure a lot of you are wearing green today, but are you eating green as well? Nutritionists suggest eating a rainbow of colors in order to get the essential vitamins and minerals. And green foods provide some of the best nutrients around. Not to mention, there are so many options you’re bound to find a few you like or even love: lettuce, peppers, peas, asparagus, edamame, avocado, limes, pears, apples, kiwi, and on and on.
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach are a great source of iron and calcium. That’s why Popeye ate so much.
- Green peppers can offer more vitamin C than an orange. Vitamin C is needed to prevent scurvy, a disease often associated with pirates. Scurvy was common among sailors because they went long periods without fresh fruits and vegetables to eat. The English were the first to carry citrus fruits (mainly limes) to ward off this disease which is where the nickname “limey” came from. It’s less common in modern day, but still possible if your diet consists solely of pepperoni pizza.
- Avocados provide healthy fats as well as folate. Folate helps prevent birth defects in unborn children so pregnant mothers might want to consider eating more guacamole.
- Eat your pears and apples with the skin on and you’re gaining an excellent source of dietary fiber. Fiber can help reduce your appetite while also reducing your risk for heart disease and colon cancer.
So as you prepare to drink your green beer, keep in mind all the health benefits naturally green foods can provide. Maybe that’s why the Irish are lucky…they understand the power of green.