Yes, you’ve heard it over and over: Green veggies are one of the most important staples of a healthy meal plan. Your mom probably nagged you about it while you were growing up, and now your nutrtitionist or weight loss doctor agrees with her. Leafy greens do indeed provide vital nutrients, and should make up a central part of your veggie intake. But what if you’re bored of the same old lettuce, spinach, and Brussels sprouts? You should branch out and try something new.

You might not eat these veggies often, and maybe you’ve never even heard of one or two. But one key to sticking with a weight loss plan is to continually branch out and try new things, so that your meal plan doesn’t bore you. Add these leafy greens to your meal rotation, and you might even find a new favorite.

Mustard greens. Half a cup of cooked mustard greens fulfills half of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Plus, they’re so easy to prepare. Just saute them in olive oil and garlic, and add a bit of balsamic vinegar when they’re finished.

Beet greens. Prepare these the same as mustard greens, but with a splash of lemon juice at the end. Beet greens are full of vitamins A and K, and eating greens means you won’t waste any part of the plant.

Swiss chard. Another leafy green veggie that is best eaten sauteed, a serving of Swiss chard contains more than your RDA of vitamin A. Plus, it also contains some enzymes believed to be linked to blood sugar control.

Lacinato kale. Kale fans rejoice; there’s another variety of kale that is even more jam-packed with vitamins A and C, plus several B vitamins. Just substitute lacinato kale for your regular variety, for even more nutritions smoothies and salads.

Chinese broccoli. If you’re bored with regular broccoli, Chinese broccoli carries a unique flavor and is full of vitamins, minerals, and potassium.

Chicory greens. Less common, but often available at farmers markets and specialty food stores, chicory greens also grow wild in some places. They’re packed with vitamins C and K, plus plenty of healthy antioxidants.

Kohlrabi. If the bitterness of other greens bothers you, try kohlrabi. It boasts a slightly sweeter tastes, but carries the same great nutrients as other leafy green veggies.

And of course, if you’re struggling to keep your weight loss plan interesting, give us a call. We can offer the support you need, along with meal planning ideas that suit your caloric needs and taste buds.