By now, you have to know that what you eat plays a big part in how your future health will look. Especially if you frequent Blackdoctor.org. Food does so much for the body. It contributes to better moods, helps you physically by giving you fuel, and allows you to experience new flavors. Food also has the ability to bring people together. Whether it’s a family gathering and everyone’s in the kitchen cooking, a Friendsgiving and everyone brings their signature dish or even a group of people getting together to start on their health journey and bounce recipes off of each other. No matter what it is, food has a huge impact in this world, especially since certain types of food such as vegetables, don’t only need to be eaten to help with weight loss. In some instances, vegetables can help prevent diseases.
A Few Vegetables A Day Can Keep Your Health Levels At Bay
You’ve probably been told many times in your life that you need to eat your vegetables, but if you haven't, listen up: you need to eat your vegetables! Eating your veggies will do you more good than harm and they’re needed for the body.
Not only do veggies help with weight loss, but they also help with replenishing and giving you energy. Vegetables give you energy and this energy is needed for your body to run on because just like fruits, vegetables are packed with vitamins and supplements that your body needs. These vitamins can help if you're suffering from deficiencies like iron, vitamin D, or even if your body isn’t getting enough fiber.
Though vegetables are important and can help you become a healthier version of your current self, leafy greens are extra special.
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How Leafy Vegetables Can Prevent Diabetes
With diabetes, there are a few different types of this disease. The only two that have the opportunity to be prevented are prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Prediabetes is what you would develop before type 2 diabetes becomes fully present in your body, so think of it as the beginning stage.
Type 2 diabetes is when your body becomes resistant to the insulin your pancreas makes because there is an impairment in the way your body processes sugar as fuel. This results in too much sugar flowing into your bloodstream, which leads to type 2 diabetes.
Leafy greens are all great vegetables to incorporate into your diet more because of how beneficial they are.
When it comes to preventing diabetes, leafy greens are high in fiber, calcium and vitamin A. These vitamins will help with fueling your body and helping it regulate sugar properly.
Adding them to your diet more often also helps with weight loss, which is important when preventing diabetes since obesity is one of the main indicators for developing type 2 diabetes.
4 Greens You Need In Your Diet
There are a bunch of options to choose from when it comes to adding more vegetables to your everyday meals. 4 leafy greens that you can add to your diet are:
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Lettuce
These 4 leafy greens are packed with calcium, fiber and vitamin A. These are important vitamins and supplements that aren't just for diabetes prevention.
When it comes to preparation and eating, spinach and kale can be eaten raw (uncooked) and you will still receive all the health benefits that come with it.
They’re also low in calories. Arugula and lettuce are low in calories and certain types of lettuce (romaine and spring mix) are also packed with nutrients.
Other Healthy Foods To Prevent Diabetes
Leafy vegetables aren’t the only foods that can help prevent diabetes if you add them into your daily meals. Foods such as avocados, strawberries, broccoli, fatty fish, eggs, beans and more are all great foods to incorporate into your diet along with the leafy greens.
You can make tasty salads, air-fried salmon, and avocado toast and tweak them to your taste and liking (without going overboard with seasonings and salt) with these food options.
Just remember this, food is one of the most amazing things that can be found in this world. Its benefits, taste and impact are endless, so explore it in the best ways that you can.