5 Lesser Known Greens That You Must Add in your Diet

Methi, Sarson, palak, Kadam, and Bathua are greens we all have heard while growing up. Greens are not only the most popular fresh foods around, but they are also one of the most nutritious vegetables loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients. Green leafy vegetables or GLV are an important part of a well-balanced diet. They are nutrient-dense and contribute immensely to boosting our health. Nutritionists and mothers keep insisting on their importance but somehow we overlooked it. If you are bored with these already known green, we have a list of unconventional greens you can try and treat your taste buds:

• Purslane (Kulfa): It is also known as the red root, loaded with vitamin A and C, omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, and calcium, purslane doesn’t get the enough attention it deserves in the Indian cuisine. It is very easily available and makes for a perfect salad leaf since it can be eaten raw too. It can also be cooked with dal and stir-fried vegetables, curries, and helps to improve heart health too.
• Moringa (Sahjan): Moringa, also known as drumstick leaves, have been considered to be a remedy for malnutrition for a long time. According to a study, published in the journal of Food Science and Human Wellness the moringa tree is perennial and can withstand severe drought, so it is available all around the year. It is loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. These leaves can help to keep everything from common infections to cancer and diabetes at bay. It is very widely used while making sambar curries as well.
• Collard (Haak): Crinkly and pungent, collard greens are very popular in Jammu and Kashmir and are traditionally eaten boiled, fried, or mashed. The boiled version of collard is known to prevent respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough making it highly nutritious. The reason behind these properties is that collard greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and B complex, apart from being great sources of dietary fibre, iron, and magnesium.
• Colocasia leaves (Arbi): Curries with colocasia roots are quite popular but have you ever tried colocasia leaves? They are famous in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Manipur, with dishes like patra and eromba (a side dish) now famous in other states as well. Leaves are a rich source of vitamin A and C, iron, dietary fibre, and folate. Besides giving your immune system a good boost, these leaves can improve eyesight, reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, aid weight loss, and improve the nervous system.
• Bichhu Booti: Bichhu Booti, also known as stinging nettle, is a plant that grows wild across the Himalayan range. It is attributed to many health benefits and is dense with nutrients. Full of carotenoids, Vitamin A, and fibre, it adds very few calories and a lot of health benefits to your meal. It has ingredients that might help in decreasing inflammation and increasing urine output. Kandalee ka saag is a common dish available in Uttarakhand which is made with Bichhu Booti.

Over to you:

Besides regular green leafy vegetables like spinach, fenugreek, and mustard we have many unknown green leafy vegetables rich in nutrients that we have busted in this article. Share with others to create awareness about lesser-known green that everyone should incorporate in their diets.