Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Now, step away from the green pancakes, green cookies, green milkshake, and, yes, that green beer. I know, I know, I’m no fun, but trust me on this: you can have just as much fun with naturally green foods, and you’re less likely to end up with bloat, a sugar crash, or a hangover! To celebrate your St. Patrick’s Day healthfully and deliciously, try one of these 5 green foods instead:
Green Juice
You knew that I was going to start with this one, didn’t you? Drinking your greens is a great way to get a supercharged shot of nutrients. Grab yourself a bottle at the store or fire up your juicer, and get ready to reap the rewards! I distinctly recall the first time I swapped green juice for green beer on St. Patrick’s Day – I couldn’t stop raving about how great I felt, and I’ve never looked back!
Green Smoothie
Heartier and sweeter than the visually similar green juice, a green smoothie is perfect for those times when you want to drink your greens yet still treat yourself. Check out my favorite green smoothie recipe here, or mix things up by adding different greens and fruits! Just remember, if you want your smoothie to remain wholly green, don’t add too many brightly colored berries.
Avocado
Rich and creamy avocados are a delicious way to add some indulgence to your healthy greenery. Some people shy away from avocados because of their high fat content, but it is important to differentiate between the “good” fat in avocados and, say, the less good fat in that milkshake. Avocados are health bombs with plenty of vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, which are especially important for people on plant-based diets. And do I have to mention how delicious avocado toast is?
Kale
Kale is so popular that it is practically a punchline, but its popularity is well-earned. High in vitamins and nutrients, kale is incredibly versatile, easily finding its way into salads, side dishes, and more. My favorite way to eat kale is sautéed with onions and chickpeas, then topped with Sriracha (although admittedly the red of the Sriracha moves us more out of a St. Patrick’s Day theme and into a Christmas one).
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are appearing on more and more restaurants menus lately, but I still can’t help feeling that these little guys are the underdogs of the vegetable world. Cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts are incredibly healthy and some have suggested that the phytochemicals in them can help lower our risk for cancer. As for me, I eat them because they taste delicious! Roast them with a little oil, salt, and pepper, or shred them and incorporate them into salads.
Any other green foods you want to nominate for some love on St. Patrick’s Day? Let me know in the comments!
Image credits: Avocado by Jaanus Silla, Brussels sprouts by Barbara L. Hanson (all other images mine)