Tired of Kale? Try These Superfoods!

We love kale. Kale adds a wonderful crunch to salads, wilts down beautifully in sauces and stir fry's, and is deliciously crispy when roasted. Oh, and it's packed full of good nutrition too. In case we didn't mention that.

It's easy to fall into patterns when eating healthy because we understand our preferences and tastes. Think about how many times you've purchased these items on a weekly basis: chicken breasts, spinach, kale, apples, bananas, or onions. But when was the last time you picked up watercress, fresh parsley or other herbs, or radicchio?

It's been said that variety is the spice of life, and when it comes to a healthy well-rounded diet this certainly applies. Although kale is fantastic, there are plenty of other superfoods that would add even more diversity in the vitamins and minerals you consume each day.

The Best Superfoods to Add to A Healthy Diet

Chard

Whether Swiss or rainbow chard (the difference is color and a few nutritional components), adding this superfood to your meal plan will boost your health in many ways. This tough vegetable is full of antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties. It even contains compounds that regulate blood glucose levels which helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

How to cook it:
Coarsely chop the leaves and finely chop stems. Heat a teaspoon of grass-fed butter in a pan over medium-high heat, then add the chard. After a few minutes, add a few splashes of white wine and cook until absorbed. Stir in a sprinkle of True Lemon, and a handful of fresh Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Radicchio

This beautifully pink/purple vegetable is considered a bitter green, and is packed full of nutrition. Polyphenols are a powerhouse micronutrient, and radicchio is a wonderful way to get plenty of it. Eating foods that contain polyphenols has shown to prevent a wide variety of diseases so this small veggie really packs a punch!

How to cook it:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut radicchio into wedges, and rinse well with cold water. Place the radicchio wedges on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with sea salt, True Lemon Pepper, and chopped fresh thyme. Roast for about 10 minutes in the oven, then turn once and roast for another 6-8 minutes until wilted. Serve with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

Watercress 

Don't let these tiny green leaves fool you - the nutrition in these little guys is pretty outstanding. Watercress contains loads of beta carotene (more than apples!), 238 percent of your daily recommended dose of vitamin K (take that, kale!), and is rich in certain cancer-fighting nutrients.  

How to cook it:
This veggie is best raw, so eat it uncooked to avoid damaging any nutritional value. Watercress tastes mild and a little peppery, so it's a wonderful addition to salads, sandwiches, and wraps.

The key to having a well-rounded and healthy diet is to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods every day. Experiment with foods you haven't tried before by planning meals and recipes ahead of time. You'll never get bored with eating healthy, and your body (and taste buds) will thank you!

[Credit: Eat This, Not That! 10 Superfoods Better Than Kale.]