FOOD NEWS
You Need To Be Eating Beet Greens, Not Throwing Them Out
By Aimee Lamoureux
Beets are among the healthiest vegetables you can eat, as they provide a boost of healthy nutrients, including folate, potassium, manganese, copper, and fiber. Studies have shown that eating beets regularly can lead to lower blood pressure, improved brain and digestive health, reduced inflammation, and even increased energy.
However, while the antioxidant-rich beetroot is an excellent addition to your diet, it contains just a fraction of the health benefits that the beet plant has to offer. The leafy greens that grow at the top of the beet plant, also known as beet tops, are a bountiful source of Vitamins A, K, C, and B2, as well as iron, magnesium, and calcium.
Beet tops have been shown to help strengthen the immune system, promote strong teeth and bones, keep skin and eyes healthy, and even help improve mental health due to their high quantity of mood-boosting B vitamins. Therefore, throwing away beet greens is basically just tossing vital vitamins, minerals, and nutrients straight into the trash.
Beet tops have a mild, sweet flavor that lends itself well to almost any recipe, making them a good addition to soups, salads, sautees, eggs, pasta, stews, and even casseroles. Young beet greens also have a tender texture, which makes them easy to serve raw or as a simple base for a salad or bowl, burger topping, or replacement for any other leafy green.