5 Nutritious & Underrated Greens You'll Want To Add To Your Plate

"There's a whole world of leafy greens that [we don't give enough credit]," she shares on this episode of the mindbodygreen podcast. "In the grocery store, [you may see] spring mix, arugula, and spinach, and there's so much more." Nothing against those popular greens—adding more veggies to your plate is always a good idea, no matter which you choose! But if you're curious about some more healthy superstars, find Merkle's farm-grown favorites below:

"It's a leafy green that really degrades in flavor and nutrition most quickly after being harvested," Merkle adds, which is why eating it as locally as you can will enhance its benefits. "It's peppery, very stemmy, and the stems are flavorful and delicious," Merkle continues. "They're kind of crunchy, and what I also love about it is that it could be sautéed, and then you have more versatility in the kitchen." 

This hybrid veggie might not be on the market quite yet (for now, it's secured in Merkle's "secret space"), but perhaps we can expect some broccoli-kale babies down the line.

Mustard greens, in general, are rich in fiber, plus micronutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper, calcium, iron, and magnesium (to name a few). "In Ayurveda, mustard greens are something that promotes digestion," adds Merkle. That's why you'll find it in kitchari recipes, which are considered the ultimate healing meal in Ayurveda.

"There's a thyme that all my chefs freak out about because it isn't very woody. It's delicate, and the underside of the leaf is a purple color, so it's incredibly fragrant," says Merkle. Thyme itself contains anti-inflammatory properties—a longevity dietitian even considers it one of her favorite herbs to use—and we imagine the enhanced flavor makes it even more of a gold mine find.

Another special herb Merkle has growing in her little secret room? Holy basil. "I make tea out of it," she shares, as the herb is often used in ayurvedic medicine as a stress-busting аdарtоgеn. "The whole farm is totally sold out," she adds. "Week after week we have standing orders." 

We hope you enjoy this episode sponsored by Cotton! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music!