Fit Food: The Benefits of Swiss Chard

Dark, leafy greens. Yes, you do need to eat them. And yes, they can be much more exciting than the limp spinach mom used to serve. But even if you learn how to dress them up, what’s in it for you?Let’s take a look:

• Leafy greens, like Swiss chard and rainbow chard, drive home over a dozen different phytonutrients— types of antioxidants that yield cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Research also finds that the flavonoids in chard may help keep your blood sugar steady, which can impact weight, energy, diabetes risk…and oh yeah, sex drive.
• Chard is rich in vitamins A, C, E, K, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc, plus it can promote eye health and memory function—maybe even protect against ulcers. Not too shabby, huh?

A single cup of cooked chard has just 35 calories, so use these easy prep ideas to try some today—and you’ll be on the road to a trimmer, healthier, more virile you in no time.