Importance of Green Veggies in diet?

[jasc]

I see that green veggies are highly recommended in fitness diets, but why? I know they have essential nutrients, fiber, etc.. But if you are hitting your macros and taking a good Multi-vitamin, are they really that important? It takes an awful lot of brocc to add any real calories...

I eat approx 2-3 cups romaine lettuce/day, take 3 multi-vitamins, and my diet is made of of all whole foods, with a couple protein shakes thrown in.. I get my proteins from lean beef, chicken, fish, turkey.. My Carbs from Oats, whole grain rice/pasta/bread n sweet potatoes.. and my fats from Fish oils, flax, and olive oil

Is there any real need to add in more green veggies? and why?

[Sicko]

We tend to eat many foods with high acidity levels, but eating green plant foods helps balance our pH levels, which helps the body maintain a more neutralized balance. Omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are particularly important for optimal brain functioning, are found in some dark greens. The chlorophyll from green plants helps minimize toxins in the blood. These vegetables also promote colon and heart health.

Leafy vegetables are low in calories, making them ideal for those hoping to lose weight. They also help minimize the risk of cancer and heart disease due to the fact they are low in fat and high in dietary fiber. Green vegetables are also high in countless nutrients, vitamins and enzymes that keep our body functioning properly. These include iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins K, E and C. Pregnant women are advised to indulge in greens because the folic acid provided by them is said to help prevent birth defects while those with type 2 diabetes benefit from the high magnesium content and low glycemic index.

Green vegetables have phytochemicals, which protect cells from damage and ensure the eyes remain healthy. They are also antioxidants, which means they support your immune system and keep you healthy all year long.

Craig, Winston, MPH, PhD, RD. Health Benefits of Green Leafy Vegetables: Greens – A Neglected Gold Mine. Vegetarian-Nutrition.info. Retrieved March 2, 2010 from edit- no links, no advertising please
IMO people who dont eat vegetables are really doing there body and overall well being a injustice. Doctors have proven over and over the importance and significance of eating them. I am lucky because I love vegetables so it is never an issue for me.

[SlimmerMe]

This is what Phate wrote to me just a few days ago re: Greens

Raw greens- When I say raw I mean RAW!!! A study done decades ago showed that if a meal contains over 51% cooked food your body actually activates a process called leukocytosis, and attacks that food as if it’s an infection! Also, cooking most foods(eggs would be an exception) inactivates enzymes, destroys fluora, and makes most of the vitamins and minerals(up to 70%) unable to be absorbed. Raw foods also contain intact fibers which aid in digestion and promote fullness and wellbeing.

[jimmyinkedup]

We tend to eat many foods with high acidity levels, but eating green plant foods helps balance our pH levels, which helps the body maintain a more neutralized balance. Omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are particularly important for optimal brain functioning, are found in some dark greens. The chlorophyll from green plants helps minimize toxins in the blood. These vegetables also promote colon and heart health.

Leafy vegetables are low in calories, making them ideal for those hoping to lose weight. They also help minimize the risk of cancer and heart disease due to the fact they are low in fat and high in dietary fiber. Green vegetables are also high in countless nutrients, vitamins and enzymes that keep our body functioning properly. These include iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamins K, E and C. Pregnant women are advised to indulge in greens because the folic acid provided by them is said to help prevent birth defects while those with type 2 diabetes benefit from the high magnesium content and low glycemic index.

Green vegetables have phytochemicals, which protect cells from damage and ensure the eyes remain healthy. They are also antioxidants, which means they support your immune system and keep you healthy all year long.

Craig, Winston, MPH, PhD, RD. Health Benefits of Green Leafy Vegetables: Greens – A Neglected Gold Mine. Vegetarian-Nutrition.info. Retrieved March 2, 2010 from http://www.****.php.

IMO people who dont eat vegetables are really doing there body and overall well being a injustice. Doctors have proven over and over the importance and significance of eating them. I am lucky because I love vegetables so it is never an issue for me.

In accordance with the rules could you please remove th link. Feel free to cut and paste the article or portions of the article in your post but no outside links.
Thank You

[gbrice75]

Vegetables also contain compounds that 'vacuum up' unstable free radicals, aiding with body fat loss.

[Dukkit]

Good greens such as Spinach, Kale (not lettuce) also contain chemicals that help promote nitric oxide levels in the blood.

And we all know what that does for us.

Now as someone who isnt a fan of veggies... at all... lol

I dont include them too much when Im bulking.

But if Im leaning out... then I do actually make use of them.

They help satiate while not eating an excess as well.

[gbrice75]

^^^ to add on to somebody who's not a fan of veggies - AT ALL (that'd be me) - I use Macro Greens and Miracle Reds from a company called Macro Life Naturals. Fresh/raw veggies will always be better obviously, but this is certainly better than nothing, and it's quick and convenient. Just throwing that option out there.

[Dukkit]

^^^ to add on to somebody who's not a fan of veggies - AT ALL (that'd be me) - I use Macro Greens and Miracle Reds from a company called Macro Life Naturals. Fresh/raw veggies will always be better obviously, but this is certainly better than nothing, and it's quick and convenient. Just throwing that option out there.

Im so using them next.

HATE veggies!!

[SlimmerMe]

X2 and I got the stuff.......trying to figure out how to tolerate the macrogreens!

[gbrice75]

Im so using them next.

HATE veggies!!

^^

They're good stuff bro. Not the best one available but very good quality and perfect for people relatively new to the 'green drink' culture. The taste decent (IMO), and you're getting nutrients you wouldn't even get from most normal high veggie diets (sea greens for instance). A bit pricey, but worth it as far as i'm concerned.

X2 and I got the stuff.......trying to figure out how to tolerate the macrogreens!

Have you tried the things i've suggested?

[SlimmerMe]

Have you tried the things i've suggested?

Not yet I CONFESS......not the kool aid grape.
I tried with ice tea and again with sugar free tonic which was HORRIBLE!

gotta get the sugar free grape I suppose.....

[gbrice75]

Not yet I CONFESS......not the kool aid grape.
I tried with ice tea and again with sugar free tonic which was HORRIBLE!

gotta get the sugar free grape I suppose.....

How about mixing a serving of greens and reds together? I can take it straight w/ water that way.

Yep, the sugar free grape definitely works for me. Also, just last night I was out of it and tried sugar free 1/2 and 1/2 lemonade/iced tea, and it was damned good!!! However, for some reason they recommend mixing with a non-acidic liquid... not sure why but iced tea and lemonade are both acidic, so...

[Sicko]

In accordance with the rules could you please remove th link. Feel free to cut and paste the article or portions of the article in your post but no outside links.
Thank You

My bad... I didnt realize that was a issue. I was just given credit to the person who wroye the article..Thanks for editing it for me, I didnt see the request till right now..

[SlimmerMe]

How about mixing a serving of greens and reds together? I can take it straight w/ water that way.

Yep, the sugar free grape definitely works for me. Also, just last night I was out of it and tried sugar free 1/2 and 1/2 lemonade/iced tea, and it was damned good!!! However, for some reason they recommend mixing with a non-acidic liquid... not sure why but iced tea and lemonade are both acidic, so...

okay....I am going to go do that in a few minutes and if I do not return then.......

[Standby]

Not yet I CONFESS......not the kool aid grape.
I tried with ice tea and again with sugar free tonic which was HORRIBLE!

gotta get the sugar free grape I suppose.....

i drink the sugar free grape kool aid everyday. i approve it slim

[oscarjones]

This is what Phate wrote to me just a few days ago re: Greens

Raw greens- When I say raw I mean RAW!!! A study done decades ago showed that if a meal contains over 51% cooked food your body actually activates a process called leukocytosis, and attacks that food as if it’s an infection! Also, cooking most foods(eggs would be an exception) inactivates enzymes, destroys fluora, and makes most of the vitamins and minerals(up to 70%) unable to be absorbed. Raw foods also contain intact fibers which aid in digestion and promote fullness and wellbeing.

Yeah I've seen the study and to be honest, there are other countless studies done (more recent I might add) that say when you lightly steam veggies (most) they actually become more easy to digest. This study and quote you are referring to actually came from a movie called "Food, Inc." Which I might add gives a unique perspective on the food supply industry, but hardly eschews from exhibiting a biased nature towards Raw and Veganism.

[oscarjones]

Here's one for shits and giggles.

Steam cooking significantly improves in vitro bile acid binding of collard greens, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, green bell pepper, and cabbage.

Abstract Source:

Nutr Res. 2008 Jun;28(6):351-7. PMID: 19083431

Abstract Author(s):

Talwinder Singh Kahlon, Mei-Chen M Chiu, Mary H Chapman

Article Affiliation:

Western Regional Research Center, USDA-ARS, Albany, CA 94710, USA. [email protected]

Abstract:

Bile acid binding capacity has been related to the cholesterol-lowering potential of foods and food fractions. Lowered recirculation of bile acids results in utilization of cholesterol to synthesize bile acid and reduced fat absorption. Secondary bile acids have been associated with increased risk of cancer. Bile acid binding potential has been related to lowering the risk of heart disease and that of cancer. Previously, we have reported bile acid binding by several uncooked vegetables. However, most vegetables are consumed after cooking. How cooking would influence in vitro bile acid binding of various vegetables was investigated using a mixture of bile acids secreted in human bile under physiological conditions. Eight replicate incubations were conducted for each treatment simulating gastric and intestinal digestion, which included a substrate only, a bile acid mixture only, and 6 with substrate and bile acid mixture. Cholestyramine (a cholesterol-lowering, bile acid binding drug) was the positive control treatment and cellulose was the negative control. Relative to cholestyramine, in vitro bile acid binding on dry matter basis was for the collard greens, kale, and mustard greens, 13%; broccoli, 10%; Brussels sprouts and spinach, 8%; green bell pepper, 7%; and cabbage, 5%. These results point to the significantly different (Pbroccoli>Brussels sprouts = spinach = green bell pepper>cabbage as indicated by their bile acid binding on dry matter basis. Steam cooking significantly improved the in vitro bile acid binding of collard greens, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, green bell pepper, and cabbage compared with previously observed bile acid binding values for these vegetables raw (uncooked). Inclusion of steam-cooked collard greens, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, green bell pepper, and cabbage in our daily diet as health-promoting vegetables should be emphasized. These green/leafy vegetables, when consumed regularly after steam cooking, would lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, advance human nutrition research, and improve public health.

Pubmed Data : Nutr Res. 2008 Jun;28(6):351-7. PMID: 19083431
Article Published Date : Jun 01, 2008
Study Type : In Vitro Study

[oscarjones]

Greenmedinfo(dot)com has some amazing articles not found on medline and pubmed. The server is solar power and user funded. Pretty tight. My friend runs it, and dedicates his spare time to consulting and educating health for our community.

[gbrice75]

okay....I am going to go do that in a few minutes and if I do not return then.......

Ummm... SM??? Yoo hoo!!!!

Couldn't have been THAT bad! The tartness of the reds cuts the unpleasant somewhat weird flavor of the greens for me...

i drink the sugar free grape kool aid everyday. i approve it slim

See that? I mean if STANDBY approves it...

[Standby]

Ummm... SM??? Yoo hoo!!!!

Couldn't have been THAT bad! The tartness of the reds cuts the unpleasant somewhat weird flavor of the greens for me...



See that? I mean if STANDBY approves it...

exactly my approval is like the great seal of approval as if god his self stamped that b*tch

[Buddhabody]

Great discussion. I just eat loads of broccoli wether bulking or cutting. Theres something to be said for the process of breaking down the food with your teeth and digesting it. I dont measure my broccoli, I just fill my plate with it and chow down.