Spinach is a superfood because of its many health benefits, so figuring out ways to eat spinach that tastes good to you is important. This way, you’ll regularly eat spinach and reap all its benefits. There are plenty of yummy recipes that contain spinach, so finding ways to eat spinach that are satisfying and delicious won’t be too difficult.
Read More: Spinach 101: Nutritional Benefits & Why It’s A Superfood
Spinach is a very low-calorie food that happens to be packed with vital nutrients that benefit the body, hair, skin and brain in many ways. From promoting better heart health to boosting the immune system, the many health benefits of spinach are undeniable.
Spinach is also a cruciferous vegetable, and as we know, it’s important to eat lots of cruciferous vegetables.
Although spinach is a vegetable, it’s nearly like water. Include it in your food and snacks every day for additional hydration.
Research found that thylakoid extracts from spinach can potentially curb appetite. You may have noticed that recipes that contain spinach are especially filling, curbing your desire to indulge in unhealthy snacking between meals.
Spinach helps to reduce hunger hormone levels and increase hormones that get you feeling full.
Spinach contains vital nutrients such as magnesium, calcium and Vitamin K, which supports healthy bones. The body constantly eliminates and rebuilds bone tissues.
Osteoporosis, a condition where the bones easily weaken and break, is often preventable. If you lack calcium in your diet, you’re at higher risk for osteoporosis.
Spinach is a food that, if consumed regularly, can help reduce your risk of bone health conditions such as osteoporosis as well as reduce your risk of heart problems. Below, we’ll go over some easy, fun and delicious ways to eat spinach to ensure you get lots of this superfood in your diet.
Delicious and Easy Ways to Eat Spinach
Spinach is super versatile in that it can be consumed many different ways. Although kids may be turned off by this leafy green, there are several ways to prepare it to make eating spinach a yummy experience for everyone. Below are 14 fantastic ways to eat spinach:
1. Add spinach to smoothies
Spinach works as an ingredient in many different delicious smoothie recipes. Stack it with orange, mango, pineapple juice, and berries for a sweet-savory experience.
To maintain a thicker consistency with your beverages, add almond milk, avocado, yoghurt or banana to your smoothie as well. You have endless choices when creating yummy smoothie recipes that contain spinach yet still taste sweet.
2. Wilt spinach on the stovetop with garlic and olive oil
Gently wilt your spinach over the stovetop for a warm, delicious spinach salad. Keep it yummy on its own, or add a little bread, or a little garlic and olive oil. Add salt to taste and enjoy this dish as a tasty warm salad or side vegetable dish. This is one of the most delicious ways to eat spinach.
3. Add spinach and chopped sausage to pasta dishes
One of the best combos in pasta is sausage and spinach. This is because the flavours of the sausage are absorbed by the spinach during the cooking process in the pan, and when mixed into a pasta dish, the combination of ingredients tastes amazing.
4. Mix raw spinach into salads
Mix a little amount of baby spinach with salad greens, fresh veggies, fruits, and nuts for a delicious super breakfast. Apart from a nutrient boost, Baby spinach also improves the flavour and texture of the mix.
5. Steam spinach over boiling water
Maximize the full health benefits of spinach by simply steaming over boiling water for a few minutes. Then add your steamed spinach to pasta, potatoes, or whatever rocks your boat. Tomato sauce and spinach are two undeniably great combos.
6. Fried spinach: a delicious treat
Fried spinach will surprise you, it’s that tasty. Stir fry the spinach with your other favourite flavours, such as Sriracha hot sauce or butter. Or add something more complex like Spanakopita.
7. Use it in curry
Frozen Spinach will make a perfect addition to Dahl, a local Indian dish usually prepared with onions, lentils, and spices. When it comes to Indian cuisines, this dish is the real deal. Frozen spinach, brown rice, and lentils all make up a nutritious combination of protein and vegan.
8. Add spinach to your eggs or omelet
Spinach goes hand in hand with eggs. To prepare a protein-rich breakfast; pour some olive oil in a frying pan and heat up, then add spinach. Wait for it to wilt for like 3 minutes. Pour the scrambled eggs. Sprinkle some cheese or add some veggies. And you’re good to go. Or you can try spinach with other egg dishes – be it quiches, omelettes, frittatas, or benedicts.
The combination of melted cheese, spinach and eggs always tastes delightful.
9. Switch your salad combo
Stack your salad with nice spinach leaves. To get a quick, yummy spinach salad, here’s what to do:
Get your veggies, chopped nuts, protein, and some crumbled cheese. Mix olive oil, squeezed red vinegar, and lemon for sweet-savory. Add pepper. Add salt. Then toss the mixture thoroughly.
10. Add to stew and soups
Spinach is a nutritious addition to any soup or stew. Add some freshly chopped spinach in a vegetable soup with chicken. Or in white bean stew, sausage, or stir fry in Thai chicken. Spinach is usually smaller when cooked so we suggest that you use the whole 5-ounce bag for the recipes.
11. Use spinach as a pizza topping
Add some freshly chopped spinach on top of your pizza for nutritious, guilt-free pizza eating. Not only will you eat less pizza (the spinach will fill you up), but also kickstart your day with minerals and vitamins.
12. Use spinach in pesto or other sauces
Besides Basil, any green can be used to make Pesto. And a great alternative to the typical pesto is the frozen spinach pesto. Inside a blender (you can also use a food processor), mix two tablespoons olive oil, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, two cups spinach, ½ cup walnuts, and ½ cup Italian parsley. Remember to add salt for taste.
13. Add spinach to your sandwiches or grilled paninis
Spinach is richer in minerals and fibers than other types of greens. So, trade your typical iceberg lettuce in sandwiches, and instead add some fresh spinach leaves along with your turkey and bread. Apart from sandwiches, you can also add spinach to burgers, wraps, and grilled paninis.
14. Sauteed spinach
Sauteed spinach is a super easy, delicious and nutritious vegetable side dish. Get a large frying pan, add olive oil or butter, and heat. Add garlic and stir until it scents.
Add some fresh spinach and cover. Wait till the spinach wilts, then add squeezed lemon with pepper and salt. Stir and serve as a side dish with your favorite entree. Sauteed spinach is different from wilted spinach. If you choose to saute spinach, you’ll likely need to use an entire bag of spinach, as it shrinks quite a bit when it’s sauteed. (it’s worth it though, as sauteed spinach tastes incredible.)
Which of the above ways to eat spinach sound the most delicious to you? Experiment with a few options and figure out how you can eat spinach and crave more of it.
If you want to find out the optimal diet plan for you based on your DNA, read your diet and nutrition reports from CircleDNA.