But, but what if you can't choke down a huge salad? Or a Popeye-sized serving of Spinach? And then there's broccoli. Does anyone really crave broccoli? Didn't think so.
There's hope for the veggie-challenged. Yes, you can get a super-sized dose of nutrition from teeny tiny little bitty micro-veggies. Also known as microgreens. Perhaps you've heard of them if you dined in a trendy bistro recently. Yes, microgreens are trending right now.
Trending today, mainstream tomorrow? Could be, should be. Microgreens pack huge nutritional value compared to their full-grown counterparts. Huge. How huge? According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s AgResearch Magazine, “...In general, microgreens contained considerably higher levels of vitamins and carotenoids—about five times greater—than their mature plant counterparts, an indication that microgreens may be worth the trouble of delivering them fresh during their short lives.” Microgreens are more nutritious than baby greens. More nutritious than sprouts. In fact, the smaller the green, the bigger the nutritional "punch".
Having trouble finding microgreens in your local grocery store? Don’t look for them to be a regular part of the produce section anytime soon. “Due to their short shelf life and growing requirements, bringing safe, high-quality microgreens to market can be relatively complex and labor-intensive,” says United States Department of Agriculture’s AgResearch Magazine. This doesn’t mean microgreens are unavailable; consider it a scavenger hunt with a good-for-you reward at the end. LifePod, Inc. is working on making microgreens much more accessible to everyday consumers.
Some microgreens are considered superfoods. How much nutrition are we talking about? Microgreensworld.com indicates "...most microgreens are rich in potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and copper. They are a great source of beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants, phytochemicals, and vitamins."
How are you going to incorporate microgreens into your daily life? What are you supposed to do, chew on them like a cow? Well, no. There are better ways. There is always the go-to smoothie; an opportunity to blend to oblivion those greens you don't like and drink them down like punishment.
Better yet, learn to cook with them. Actual recipes that use microgreens are a click away. Microgreensworld.com has a nice starter list and a quick web search will result in even
more recipe options. Use highly nutritious microgreens and whole, unprocessed foods as a way to improve your health and wellness. Experiment with spicy oriental mustard, arugula and even broccoli microgreens in your next meal. You might find yourself trending in the kitchen.