These beautiful vegetables are packed with vitamin A, C, E and K, contain lots of fiber to help promote healthy intestinal flora, contain folic acid, chlorophyll and phyto-nutrients. So many benefits including blood purification and boosting immune function!

But can eating too much hurt you?

Spinach, chard and beet greens all have high levels of oxalic acid which depletes calcium from the bones and teeth. Eating large quantities can lead to osteoporosis. Kale contains goitrogens and can interfere with thyroid function. Large quantities are contra indicated for anyone with iodine deficiency. Kale also contains oxalate which can cause kidney stones. Spinach as mentioned above contain oxalate which may cause kidney stones and also contains purines, which if you have gout, consume in moderation. Broccoli also contains goitrogens and are reduced through the cooking process. If you have thyroid condition, you might want to consider reducing your consumption of raw cabbage family vegetables. 

If your diet consists mainly of green juices or eating many cups a day of these green raw  vegetables, maybe it may be time to re-evaluate this diet as you may be giving yourself thallium poisoning. Symptoms include: fatigue, brain fog, digestive troubles, nausea, and skin and hair issues. You may just think that you are cleansing your body of toxins and that is why you are feeling crappy. Actually your body is telling you to STOP! You are poisoning me!

But by cooking these vegetables it would be very hard to cause yourself harm, especially if you are eating a diet that is diverse and colorful. How many colors of the rainbow can you get onto your plate every day? Anytime a mono diet is introduced for an extended period of time there can be consequences to one’s health.

As with everything that we do, moderation is key and a meal serving size should be no more than two cups of cooked or raw food.