Spinach is one of nature’s superfoods, not to mention Popeye’s fuel of choice – so why not make it yours too?
Packed full of powerful nutrients, spinach’s health benefits include the following and more:
- Alkalises the body
- Lowers blood pressure
- Fights psoriasis, acne and wrinkles
- Can prevent cardiovascular disease and strokes
- Aids in digestion
- Maintains low blood sugar
- High in iron
- Contains vitamins B6, B1, riboflavin, folate & niacin
- Rich source of Omega-3 and fatty acids
- Strengthens your eyes
- Superhuman strength and flight (ok, so maybe this one’s not true, but spinach is such a powerful superfood that it’s not entirely impossible, right?)
And if you’d like a more in-depth breakdown of why spinach is considered a superfood, see here.
With all of these amazing benefits and so many more, it makes sense to consume spinach regularly… so we’ve gathered a few simple ideas on how you can fit more spinach in to your day!
Smoothies
Adding spinach to your breakfast smoothie is a great way to kickstart your day. If this is a new concept to you, then don’t be scared – while spinach may change the colour, we promise you won’t even be able to taste it!
Half a cup, or even a whole cup of spinach is all that’s needed here.
Our favourite breakfast smoothie combo is currently rice milk, spinach, 1 whole banana, agave syrup (or your natural sweetener of choice), unrolled oats, LSA and chia seeds. Blend and enjoy.
Add a little raw cacao powder to the mix too if you’re in the mood for a treat.
Scramble with eggs
Next time you’re cooking up scrambled eggs for Sunday brunch, throw your friend spinach in to the mix.
Not only will it increase the nutritional benefits of your breakfast, but it will add great colour and texture to the dish.
We’d recommend you ditch the bacon while doing this – but one step at a time, right? Scrambled eggs and chopped spinach. You won’t regret this one!
And, of course, eggs Florentine is wilted spinach on a toasted muffin, topped with a poached egg and a rich, zesty blanket of hollandaise. Yum!
If you want some more brekkie inspiration, see here.
Add to wraps and sandwiches
Here’s a no-brainer. Pack that spinach into your next wholemeal wrap, roll or sandwich. It’s more nutritious than lettuce and has more flavour too.
Stir-fry with garlic
Stir-fried spinach is a wonderful side to serve at dinner, or even lunch. Simply heat some minced garlic with some olive oil in a pan, then add in a bag of spinach! I first had this as a side dish in Italy, served next to a simple bowl of homemade pasta – delicious.
Stir-fry until hot and season with soy sauce plus a pinch of pepper. Did we mention this dish will make your kitchen smell amazing?
Bulk up salads
Another easy one. Spread your salad further at dinner by adding in another cup of spinach or simply add it for the sake of an extra nutritional ingredient to fuel yourself with.
I particularly like adding a spinach to something like a roast root veg salad – the bright green looks so inviting against the oranges and reds of sweet potato, beetroot and carrot.
Stir through pastas
Add spinach to your pasta sauces and stir through pasta after it’s been cooked, or simply serve fresh and raw on top of your pasta dish.
The tenderness of the spinach will add to the texture of your dish and add vibrant streaks of green.
The options for taking advantage of spinach’s health benefits and incorporating it into your meals are seemingly endless, as it can be added to most savoury dishes with ease and without affecting the flavour.
RELATED:
LSA – Linseed, Sunflower Seed & Almond Mix – the Genuine Superfood
Quinoa – A Superfood You Should Know
Iron Requirements – What Female Athletes Need to Know
