Are Beet Greens the New Kale?

We’ve heard a lot of talk in the health food world about beet greens lately; some even claim that they could become the new kale. While we’re skeptical of that (we love our kale!), we’re always looking for new ways diversify when it comes to ingredients. We decided to try them out and see what all the fuss it about.

First, some nutritional stats:

• Great source of protein, phosphorus, zinc, and fiber
• They are loaded with antioxidants; high in vitamin B6, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese
• Low in fat and cholesterol
• Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, daily values of beet greens contain: 220% of vitamin A, 60% of vitamin C, 16% of calcium, and 15% of iron
• Studies have shown that the vitamin K in beet greens contains blood clotting properties, helps prevent osteoporosis, and works with calcium to improve bone strength. Beet greens are higher in iron content than spinach, and a higher nutritional value than the beetroot itself.
• “The vitamin A content in beet greens helps strengthen the immune system and stimulates the production of antibodies and white blood cells. The beta-carotene in vitamin A is a known antioxidant that can fight the effects of free radicals in the body along with cancer and heart disease.” (All info gathered from foodfacts.mercola.com)

While it doesn’t exactly stack up to kale in the nutrition department (kale has fewer calories, higher nutrient content, and omega-3s), it is certainly a contender in taste. The flavor and texture are more of a combination of spinach and Swiss chard—a little more on the bitter side than spinach but milder than Swiss chard.

We decided that a simple, yet flavorful breakfast would be the perfect way to highlight the newest addition to our ever-changing and evolving catalog of veggie options. We went with some fresh-baked sourdough bread from our local La Brea Bakery, mascarpone cheese, beet greens sautéed in olive oil and spices, and a single, sunny-side up egg. We finished it off with a fresh fruit garnish of raspberries and blueberries. Follow the journey in the photos below!

WW PointsPlus: 7 points per toast*