You Should Definitely Start Eating Beet Greens. Here's Why

Beets are one of the most underrated vegetables on the planet. In fact, Bill Telepan, the executive chef and owner of Telepan Local in New York, told Thrillist in an almost PSA-like quote about the dark red vegetable, "Beets! They're delicious pickled; they're delicious roasted. Beets can add sweetness and acidity, and they also work well as a savory. It's pretty much my favorite vegetable. Beets are always there for you – they start to become available in the spring as baby beets, and can be stored over the winter season. Not only are they delicious, but beets also have a lot of good nutrients." We are with him. 

Beets are pretty awesome, but if you are tossing aside the leafy green part of these ruby beauties, you might want to think twice, and here's why. Per Epicurious, beet greens are "sweet" and "mild" and when you cook them, they outshine kale, collards, Swiss chard, and just about any other greens you want to match them up against. The site also notes that beet greens are more nutritious than the beets themselves, containing an abundance of antioxidants. There is clearly more to these greens than meets the eye.

Often called a superfood, beet greens are full of fiber and vitamins. Per The Morning Call, a single cup of cooked beet greens can fill you up with 220 percent of your daily value of Vitamin A, which is important for your vision and helps ensure that your heart, lung, and kidneys function properly (via National Institutes of Health). Beet greens also contain 870 percent of your daily recommended amount of vitamin K. Vitamin K is involved in making proteins that aid in blood clotting and bone health (via Live Science). 

But their goodness doesn't stop there. These greens also contain beta-carotene which is essential for healthy eyes. Moreover, NDTV notes that beet greens contain a fair amount of vitamin C which can help boost our immunity and no fat or cholesterol. That's a win-win for your waistline and your health. Not to mention, beet greens are tasty. They can be used in both soups and salads or even on your favorite sandwich. You can often find beet greens at farmers' markets or sometimes if you are lucky, you may even purchase fresh beets with the greens still intact.