Spinach is like a “wonder food”

When it comes to good health, spinach and weight loss go hand in hand. 

“On the subject of spinach: Divide it into little piles. Rearrange again into new piles. After five or six maneuvers, sit back and say you are full.”

- Delia Ephron -

Do you feel the same way about eating spinach?

Well, you are not the only one. I used to wonder why Popeye ate it at all, because I never fell for the ‘spinach kept our family strong for thousands of years story’,  Uhm- uh…

I like it more now though, as long as it’s cooked ( and no sand please!, lol) and seasoned. Also, once I learned that it actually does contain tons of good- for- me minerals and vitamins my whole attitude changed.

Here’s the scoop on spinach, (it might change your attitude too

Spinach contains a lot of fiber and it’s loaded with plenty of vitamins, such as beta carotene and vitamin K;  It’s high in minerals especially iron, but it’s also a moderate source of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and other minerals.

Other benefits

• It has very few calories, so you can enjoy a lot of it.
• It helps alkalize the body, reducing the overproduction of acid that the typical modern diet creates.

Important: Although high in Calcium, spinach contains high amounts of Oxalates, substances that bind to Calcium preventing its absorption so that very little calcium (about 5%) it’s actually absorbed.  

Oxalates are found in many other foods, such as soy, preventing most of the soy calcium absorption AND it chemically binds to other calcium within our cells preventing its absorption and depleting the body of important calcium reserves.

Ways to enjoy spinach 

- Baby spinach salad. 

Either make the spinach leaves your base (instead of lettuce), or mix it up with iceberg lettuce.  Then add the rest of your fav vegetables. 

 - Instead of lettuce.

Try a lean turkey breast sandwich piled high with raw spinach leaves and drizzled with spicy mustard. 

How about  a scoop of tuna salad on a bed of spinach leaves?  This is a great option if you’re trying to eat less bread.

- Stir fried. This is my favorite 

Make a stir fry dish with chopped vegetables, water chestnuts, spinach leaves, and your choice of protein like chicken or shrimp.  The spinach softens up nicely and blends right in with the other flavors.

- In Soups.

 It adds color, flavor and extra fiber to any soup.

 All in all, as you can see, though not a great source of calcium spinach is an excellent weight loss food; tasty, high fiber, high nutrients, good for you, and very few calories…all good points to keep in mind about good, old Popeye’s favorite food!

To Your Health!

LL

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Tags: Diets, fiber, Losing Weight, minerals, vitamins

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