Plant Power: Green is Good!

We all remember the days when our parents used to pester us about eating our spinach. There was all that nonsense about Popeye and how every time he ate spinach he would grow super human strength, but clearly we weren’t getting those muscles right after eating the nasty mush. So, we ended up feeding the leftovers to the dog. Unfortunately no, spinach doesn’t have instantaneously Popeye-like effects but it is loaded with nutrients that are important for your skin, bones, hair and it gives you the protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals you need all in a low calorie way. Popeye had the right idea, but here are some more enjoyable ways to get your greens into your diet.

In Your Smoothies

Green smoothies are perfect for breakfast and midday snacks. They seem gross because they are green and spinach doesn’t seem like something that mixes well with other foods in a blender, but actually it’s a match made in heaven. For a green smoothie, take 1 cup of spinach, 1 cup of a liquid base (water, almond milk, coconut milk, coconut water) and then add your choice of fruits (avocado, banana, berries, mango, pineapple, etc.)

Make sure when you are making a spinach smoothie to first blend together your greens and liquid. Then add your fruits and blend again.

Try This:

1 Cup Spinach
1 Cup Almond Milk
½ Cup Blueberries
1 Banana
2 Strawberries
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

In Your Salads

The next time you want a salad for lunch or dinner, swap your normal lettuce choice for spinach. Spinach salads are delicious and because you can dress it up with different fruits, proteins and dressing–eating your greens won’t feel like a hassle.

Spinach and Tuna Salad

Spinach
Tuna
½ Apple
Celery
Red Onion
Lemon Squeeze
Olive Oil Mayo
Salt and Pepper to taste

Spinach and Grilled Chicken Salad

Spinach
Sweet potato
Grilled Chicken
Avocado
Lemon Squeeze for dressing
Salt and Pepper to taste

With Your Eggs

Cooking spinach into your eggs is super delicious, super easy and it’s a great combo if you’re looking for a protein and nutrient packed meal. Here are three recipes that you absolutely have to try.

Spinach and Egg White Omelet

4 Egg Whites
Spinach
Feta Cheese
Chopped onions

Grease your frying pan and add your eggs and chopped onions. Cook until the bottom is lightly brown, then add your spinach and feta cheese. Fold it in half and serve! Feel free to add avocado, peppers or tomato.

Spinach, Bacon and Egg Baked Muffins

Spinach
Eggs
Bacon
Tomato

Take a muffin or cupcake tray and cut the bacon up into tiny pieces and stick them in the tray. Cook for 5 minutes and whisk together your desired amount of eggs on the side. Take out the tray and then add your spinach, eggs, and top with tomatoes. Pop it back into the oven for about 20 minutes. You can keep these in the fridge and grab one or two on your way to class.

Baked Avocado with Spinach and Eggs

Avocado
Spinach
Egg

Cut your avocado in half long ways and take a little bit out of the center so there is room for your egg and spinach to rest inside. Put in your spinach and crack in your egg. Place in a small pan and put into the oven at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes. Cooking time depends on your oven and size of your food. Add pepper and hot sauce!

These are just some simple and delicious college student ways to get your greens but there are so many ways to add spinach into your diet. Don’t underestimate the power of plants, green is good!