5 Super Vegetables You Customers Will Love!

While there’s certainly no such thing as an ‘unhealthy’ vegetable, when it comes to produce, there’s a few ‘elite’ veggies that deliver more – more fiber, more vitamins and more essential nutrients than most other veggies in the produce aisle.

These over-achieving vegetables, a.k.a. ‘super vegetables’ are true produce powerhouses – each one has been proven to contain high levels of cancer-fighting, cardiac health-boosting compounds such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that we all need in our diet.

Here’s our picks for the top 5 super vegetables that both you and your customers should be eating right now:

Beets 

Also known as beetroot, beets are often overlooked by celebrity doctors and dietitians touting the latest and greatest foods, and we’re really not sure why. Perhaps it’s the memory of eating overcooked, mushy canned beets from a bottle that causes beets to get the bum rap, but the nutritional facts don’t lie – beets are exceptionally healthy, affordable and when prepared correctly, tasty too!

Fresh beets contain high levels of naturally-occurring nitrates, which help to relax and dilate blood vessels in the body to lower blood pressure and improving circulation. Along with these heart-healthy nitrates, beets are also a source of betaine, a unique anti-inflammatory nutrient that protects cells against damage from environmental stress.

Kelp

When it comes to nutritional density, kelp is the much-disputed king of the vegetable world. What was once regarded as little more than a nuisance weed by mariners is quickly gaining favor among both chefs and health-conscious consumers, thanks to kelp’s high levels of fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc. Kelp is now grown commercially right here in the United States to meet the growing demand for this sea vegetable.

So why the controversy? Kelp is naturally high in sodium, so some experts advise that people on salt-restricted diets should avoid this super vegetable from the sea.

Mushrooms 

Mushrooms are loaded with critical vitamins (including vitamins D, B2 & B3), antioxidants and selenuim, a bladder-health booster that’s been linked to lowered rates of bladder cancer among women. These edible fungi have also been shown to help improve immune system function, while the low calorie count of mushrooms make them the perfect substitute for calorie-dense meat in a number of dishes like burgers, meatloaf and pasta.

Sweet Potatoes 

Contrary to popular belief, sweet potatoes don’t actually have loads more fiber than their white counterparts, and white potatoes actually have about 25% more protein than the orange-fleshed spuds. However, sweet potatoes are the undisputed champs when it comes to Vitamins A, B5 and B6, as well as niacin, riboflavin and carotenoids, making these super-sweet taters a must-have on every menu.

Napa Cabbage 

Whether you call it Napa, Chinese or Sui Choy, this cabbage is virtually calorie-free (100 grams contains just 16 calories), yet it has high levels of antioxidant compounds like lutein along with Vitamins C, B and K.

A member of the nutritionally-dense broccoli family of vegetables, Napa cabbage is known to help regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, making this low-calorie food a great choice among folks who looking for natural ways to control their cardiac and diabetes risk factors.

So go ahead and do yourself, and your customers a favor – include these ultra-healthy super-vegetables in your menu today!