Welcome back everyone! Today I’d like to discuss two very different, but rather brilliant, vegetables that I use frequently. Read on as I delve into all the goodness that this leafy green and starchy spud has to offer! If I’ve piqued your interest, then you might like to try my Potato & Leafy Spinach soup! You can find this recipe, and all my other quarantine cooking here on our blog. You can also watch a step-by-step video guide over on our Instagram.

Pumpin’ Iron with Spinach

We’ve all seen the effect that spinach has on Popeye, but how does it really affect our bodies? Spinach is a great source of vitamin A, C, K1, as well as folic acid, iron and calcium.

Most dark leafy green vegetables such as kale, watercress, cavolo nero and spinach are great sources of iron! This is particularly important for those of us on plant-based diets. Iron is vital to the production of red blood cells (haemoglobin if we’re being technical!) that transports oxygen around the body. A deficiency in iron can lead to anaemia, with symptoms including tiredness, headaches and shortness of breath.

It’s important to note that vitamin C aids the absorbtion of iron in our bodies. So squeezing lime or lemon juice over some leafy greens not only tastes great but does our bodies good too!

Spinach

The benefits of spinach for our blood health doesn’t stop there! Vitamin K1 is crucial for healthy blood clotting as it allows for the formation of 4 out of the 13 proteins needed for blood clotting and wound healing.

Furthermore, our bodies actually convert vitamin K1 to vitamin K2. This is especially important for those of us who limit our intake of meat, dairy and eggs. As leafy greens are good sources of vitamin K2, ensuring that we eat adequate amounts can help to prevent any deficiencies. Moreover, vitamin K2 aids our blood clotting too, in addition to our cardiovascular system and our bone health by preventing the build-up of calcium in our arteries, blood vessels and kidneys. Vitamin K2 also helps to distribute calcium in our bones, benefiting our bone health and mass. Additionally, studies suggest it might even help prevent osteoporosis.

What’s the Apeel of White Potatoes?

White Potatoes, the other star of my recent soup recipe, provides a rich and creamy consistency to many dishes. Unfortunately, potatoes don’t count as 1 of your 5 a day. This is because they are classified as the carbohydrate portion of a meal (just like rice or pasta), rather than a vegetable, because of their starch content. However, this doesn’t mean they’re not packed full of goodness! Carbohydrates are definitely not the enemy! Potatoes are a source of energy, fibre, vital B vitamins and potassium. Additionally, B Vitamins are especially important for our energy levels and for the formation of healthy red blood cells. Potatoes are such a versatile veg and we use them in so many dishes. Likewise, it’s great to know that we’re getting health benefits from them!

Did you know that, according to Kantar Worldwide, in 2018, 5.4 billion portions of fresh potatoes and 2.8 billion portions of frozen potatoes were consumed worldwide?

The Soupologie Spirit

Check out our 5 A Day Garden Pea & Leafy Spinach soup for a boost of not only leafy greens but all of your 5 A Day in one meal! For a hit of leafy greens (spinach & kale) and potatoes, have a look at our Spinach & Kale with Garlic soup to celebrate vegetables in all their natural and culinary goodness!

N.B. All our soups are Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and with all Green Traffic Lights! Celebrating natural goodness the Soupologie Way! Find us at WholeFoods, Waitrose, Planet Organic, Ocado and on our webstore www.soupologie.com