Spinach. Romaine. Kale. If you love salad but basically rotate these three go-to greens day after day, you're not just deadening your taste buds—you're also depriving yourself of the full range of vitamins and minerals other kinds of salad greens have to offer. To expand your lunchtime horizons, take a trip down the produce aisle and try these alternatives, suggested by Brittany Kohn, R.D., of Stephanie Middleberg Nutrition in New York City.
Microgreens
You know about baby carrots and baby broccoli; microgreens are their leafy counterparts. Sold in a big bag typically containing a mix of arugula, red cabbage, radishes, and herbs, these delicate greens are harvested early, which boosts their nutritional profile big time. They can contain up to 40 times more antioxidants and beta-carotene than a serving of adult mixed greens, says Kohn.
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Mache
This soft, tender leaf has a mild, slightly sweet, almost nutty flavor. It's great on its own or tossed with heartier, crunchier greens, says Kohn. Key nutrients include mega amounts of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Even better, a cup has a third more iron than the same amount of spinach.
Frisée
Frisee might look a little strange, but it's packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folic acid. It's bitter, which makes it a good green to add to a mixture of other types of lettuce, and it has a crunchy stem that lends texture to your salad, says Kohn.
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Radicchio
This burgundy leaf adds a pretty color to your typical green salad. It's got a bitter edge and a spicy taste when raw, punching up the flavor of the entire dish. (When cooked, the taste mellows and becomes slightly sweet, so it's also great as a pizza topping or in pasta.) Besides containing lots of B vitamins, a serving of radicchio scores you calcium, potassium, selenium, and phosphorus, says Kohn.
Escarole
The broad, pale, smooth-textured leaves on a head of this veggie have a slight kick but aren't overwhelming. Escarole also helps you rack up your intake of iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and potassium, says Kohn.
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