Non Cruciferous Vegetables
You all know I’m a huge fan of cruciferous veggies, but sometimes you just need to eat non-cruciferous vegetables. So here’s my list of the tastiest and most nutritious non-cruciferous veggies!
What is the Difference Between Cruciferous and Non-Cruciferous Vegetables?
Non-cruciferous vegetables are any veggies that don’t fit into the family of vegetables called cruciferous (these are things like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts, to name a few).
The term “cruciferous” is actually a non-scientific classification of foods in the mustard family. It comes from the Latin term Cruciferae, which means “cross-bearing,” because there are 4 main petals of leaves in all of the plants in this group.
And although the cruciferous group of vegetables packs a huge nutritional punch, some people get gassy when they eat a large amount. (I’m lucky I’m not one of those people!)
That’s where non-cruciferous vegetables come in. They consist of all vegetables that do not belong to the cruciferous family, are more easily digested by some, and are also loaded with nutrients.
So let’s get to it…
Top 10 Non-Cruciferous Vegetables
Spinach – This is a great substitute when you’re trying to avoid dark leafy green cruciferous vegetables like Kale or bok choy. It’s great in salads, quiches, and sandwiches. Spinach is loaded with iron and vitamins.
Beet Greens – This is another great dark leafy green that’s loaded with nutrition and is useful in stir frys and casseroles.
Lettuce – Any variety of lettuce will work well for salads or sandwiches. And don’t forget to make “lettuce cups” with them for a quick and easy, light meal.
Sweet Potatoes – These tubers will load you up with Vitamins A and C. I love them scrubbed well, baked, and topped with ground turkey and wilted spinach. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Carrots – Another tuber that’s got tons of Vitamins A and C. Carrots add a big crunch to any salad or stir fry. They are one of my favorite non-cruciferous vegetables out there.
Green Beans – Fiber, folate, and potassium are some of the great nutrients in green beans. All of these help fight inflammation. And we all could use a little inflammation reduction. (Check out my free Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Eat and Avoid Download here.)
Onions – I love ALL onions. They add enormous flavor to anything and are well-studied and well-known to help fight cancer. Red onions have the most antioxidant cancer-fighting properties so I tend to use them the most.
Parsley – Adding fresh herbs to almost any dish adds a pop of straight-from-the-garden taste. And a handful of fresh parsley goes a long way. I’ll toss finely chopped parsley into soups, salads, and sauces.
Asparagus – It’s best to buy asparagus when it’s in season (February through June). Choose thinner stalks, cut off the tough ends, and slice them on the bias. Toss them in a hot skillet with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and you’ve got one of my favorite non-cruciferous vegetable side dishes out there.
Zucchini – Green or yellow. Raw, sauteed, or grilled. You can’t go wrong with fresh zucchini. (Grilled zucchini is my favorite!)
Other Kinds of Vegetables
There are many other vegetables that did not make my Top 10 list. Don’t overlook them. I’m talking red and green peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes (actually a fruit, but I’m throwing it in here!), eggplant, and so many more!
You get the point. And my new favorite is this mashed potato squash! Yum! (And don’t forget to start your day with this Ginger Turmeric Shot!)
So now you know the best non-cruciferous vegetables to choose when you’re looking to avoid the cruciferous family. Get creative. You’ll love them all!