7 ways to eat green for a healthy diet

W ith St. Patrick's Day later this week, many of us are thinking about the culinary classics -- green beer and corned beef and cabbage. Those are great, but not necessarily the best for your health. So consider a new St. Patrick's Day tradition -- adding more healthy green to your diet. Here are seven suggestions from wellness coordinator Erica Wald of the U-M Health System.

1. Increase fiber with broccoli. Broccoli is full of beneficial properties. It has soluble and insoluble fiber, and vitamins A, C, E and K. It's full of antioxidants and is good for bone health.
2. Vary your leafy greens . Opt for darker greens with a high concentration of vitamins A, C and folate, which helps prevent birth defects. Spinach is good for eye health, and collard greens contain beta-carotene.
3. Choose vitamin K for bones. Eating green vegetables such as asparagus, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, endive, brussel sprouts and turnip, collard and mustard greens contributes to stronger bones.
4. Improve cholesterol with avocado. It's a good source of monounsaturated fats.
5. Alternate oranges with kiwi. Kiwi has more vitamin C than oranges and is a great source of fiber.
6. Snack on green apples. They are a great source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which aids in digestion and heart health.
7. Drink green tea. It packs a bigger punch than darker teas when it comes to antioxidants. It also contains flavonoids, which are good for the heart.

Source: www.detnews.com