Beet greens in a cast iron skillet ready for cooking. Eating a wide variety of vegetables is crucial for maintaining good health , with Professor Tim Spector recommending at least 30 different plants per week. Each vegetable offers a unique combination of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols that can benefit the body in various ways, such as improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and lowering the risk of chronic illness and cancer.
However, some vegetables are more nutritious than others, according to a list that could revolutionise the way you eat and potentially improve your health. The list, compiled by the BBC , highlights the "world’s healthiest snack", a nutrient-packed option available in most supermarkets, as well as the "world’s healthiest fruit", a treat rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Surprisingly, the list also includes the "world’s healthiest meat", which boasts higher nutritional value than some fruits and vegetables. In addition, three species of fish feature in the top 10, with the ocean perch ranking third overall due to its high protein and low saturated fat content, followed by flat fish as the second healthiest option.
Swiss chard sits atop the vegetable rankings, claiming the seventh spot overall. Beet greens, however, are not far behind in second place for vegetables, and many might be unfamiliar with them.
Often they’re discarded during the preparation of beets (or beetroot), whether removed before selling in supermarkets or at home. The BBC’s list bestows upon beet greens a commendable nutrition score of 70 out of 100, highlighting their rich content of calcium, iron, vitamin K, and B group vitamins (especially riboflavin), reports Surrey Live .
In a recent episode of the Zoe podcast, best-selling food author Carleigh Bodrug, who advocates for reducing food waste, remarked: "It’s normalised to discard so much more of the plant that is actually edible… coffee grounds, radish tops, beet tops, broccoli stalks. There are so many amazing things that we could be integrating into our diet that are nutrient-dense, delicious and affordable, because you’re buying them anyways, that we could be consuming that we’re all discarding."
She added: "Beets are a perfect example. Beet greens: so delicious, […]
The surprisingly nutritious vegetable you’re probably ignoring
