5 Reasons Why You Should Be Eating Brussels Sprouts And Other 'Yucky' Vegetables

Need motivation to eat healthy? Here's why you should eat more green vegetables.

We know, eat too much asparagus and it can have some strange and smelly side effects, but this vegetable is completely harmless. Asparagus is high in the amino acid asparagine, which acts as a diuretic, helping to flush the body of excess salts, making it an excellent choice for anyone with high blood pressure. Make it tastier by brushing the asparagus spears with heart-healthy olive oil, grilling them until lightly charred, and then serving them with salt and a little lemon zest.

Could broccoli be the secret fountain of youth? Maybe. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which seems to slow down the immune system decline that occurs naturally with age. If you're looking for a way to work more of these super-nutritious florets into your diet, try roasting them in the oven until they're charred and slightly crispy. Then, top the broccoli with freshly cracked black pepper and a few shavings of fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano.

There is no green vegetable more loathed than Brussels sprouts, but these green gems deserve a second chance. They offer more than a full day's value of vitamins K and C, and they have lots of fiber to help you stay fuller longer. Brussels sprouts are notoriously smelly when overcooked, so try them raw; slice them thinly and dress them with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for a simple and delicious salad.

If you're diabetic, you may want to add more lima beans to your diet. These buttery green legumes help slow the digestive processes, which can stabilize blood glucose levels.  If you're not diabetic, you should still give them a try; the fiber in lima beans can protect against colon cancer by decreasing the amount of time that toxic substances spend in your digestive system. Try lima beans in a fresh and healthy corn succotash.

This leafy green vegetable is important for healthy bones. It's packed with vitamin K (which helps prevent bones from breaking down) and is a good source of other bone-supportive nutrients like calcium and magnesium. If you're not a fan of cooked spinach, try using it in a homemade pesto (instead of herbs) with heart-healthy olive oil, fresh garlic, and lemon juice.