When many people think about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, images of corned beef, cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and green beer come to mind. These things might be traditionally festive and comforting, but there are healthier options available if you’re looking to live more naturally this spring.
Here are some healthy green foods to focus on this St. Patrick’s Day to get the whole family in the mood for a celebration.
Pure and Simple Green Vegetables
So many edible plants in our world are green in color, so it should be very easy to find inspiration to “go green” as you’re walking through the produce section of the grocery store. Some of the healthiest green vegetables are broccoli, spinach, artichoke, kale, green bell peppers, and collard greens. Meanwhile, cucumbers, celery, and zucchini are all green and have a high water content, which means that they will help keep you hydrated beyond just drinking water.
The easiest way to eat green vegetables is often to make a salad. But you can easily incorporate them into easy recipes too, such as Asian stir-fry dishes, casseroles, and side dishes.
Healthy and Delicious Green Fruits
However, there are quite a few fruits that are green in color too and that provide healthy snack options around St. Patrick’s Day. Pears, granny smith apples, limes, kiwis, and avocados are all examples of wonderful green fruits to eat more of during the month of March. You can add a little green color and extra flavor to your St. Paddy’s Day foods too by sprinkling on some basil, parsley, or cilantro.
Green Smoothie Ideas
An easy way to get everyone in your household celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in a healthy way is to get out your blender and make green smoothies. Vegetable-focused smoothies are more delicious than you might expect and really pack in a great nutrient boost.
Here’s an example of an easy green smoothie recipe to try on March 17:
INGREDIENTS:
- ½ cup spinach
- ½ banana
- ¼ avocado
- 1 tsp. chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk
- Mint leaves
DIRECTIONS:
- Add all ingredients into a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Top with a couple mint leaves.
- Sip and enjoy!
Get Creative with Healthy Green Recipes
If you have a little extra time this St. Patrick’s Day or are planning a party, there are a lot of green-themed recipes that you can get creative with in the kitchen. Some examples to try are green pea and parsley hummus, spiced guacamole, and creamy avocado soup. Cilantro lime rice, green beans with pesto sauce, and cucumber roll-ups are other ideas for a festive dinner at home or to take for sharing at a social gathering.
How will you be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year?