Celebrate Spectacular Spinach on March 26th (Plus Four Tasty Recipes!)

Did you know that the famous cartoon Popeye was responsible for boosting the consumption of spinach by 33% in the 1930s? Spinach became a popular food for good reason, it is not only tasty but also very healthy. Celebrate this nutrient-rich vegetable on March 26th for National Spinach Day!

The unique nutrient profile of spinach provides numerous health benefits to those who eat it. Many of the compounds found in spinach can be used by the body to improve your health, making spinach a wonder food.

Not only is spinach good for you, but it is also delicious. You can eat it as a side dish or even make it the star of the meal. There are so many ways you can enjoy spinach, from raw to cooked, making it the perfect addition to any meal year-round.

Spinach and Your Health

If you are looking for a food that is tasty as well as jampacked with nutrients, look no further than spinach. Here are just some of its health benefits:

Eye Health: Your eyes are an important part of your body and can often be overlooked when it comes to taking care of your overall health. Spinach contains compounds such as lutein that can help protect your eyes from damage.

Healthy Heart: Spinach is high in the compound nitrate which has been linked to lowering blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure when it is high is better for your heart. It is important to keep your heart healthy as heart disease is the number one killer in the United States.

Blood Clots: Spinach, just like other green leafy vegetables, contains high amounts of Vitamin K. Your body uses Vitamin K to clot blood. If you are on the anticoagulant medication coumadin, it is important to speak with your doctor before eating large amounts of spinach.

Energy Levels: Your cells need oxygen to function and produce energy. Red blood cells use iron to transport oxygen into cells. Spinach is very high in iron, however oxalic acid in spinach inhibits the absorption of iron. Steaming and boiling spinach are effective in decreasing its oxalate content.

Cooking Up Something Good

No matter what time of year, spinach is a delicious food that will elevate any meal. You can eat it raw in a refreshing salad or steam it with garlic for a savory side dish. Here are some of my favorite spinach recipes:

Quiche: What is so great about quiche is that you can eat it for a dinner or even at breakfast. Nothing sounds more delicious than eggs, spinach, and cheese.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip: An appetizer that you can’t pass up! This creamy dip is easy to make at home, and always a hit.

Spinach Spanakopita: This Greek Spinach Pie is a great on-the-go food that is delicious and unique. It tastes light and refreshing but it is sure to fill you up.

Omelets: Start your morning off right with a protein-packed omelet. Experiment with adding spinach to your breakfast omelet along with mushrooms, onions, and colorful bell peppers.

It doesn’t matter how you decide to eat it, as long as you are celebrating this leafy green vegetable on March 26th for National Spinach Day.

Your Turn To Action: What is your favorite way to eat spinach? Let me know in the comments below!