11 Trending Superfood Veggies That Could Be the Next Kale

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Swiss chard

It looks like kale (which we swear can be delicious), but we must say—it’s prettier. Swiss chard might have white, yellow, red or bright green stems. “Swiss chard is a cruciferous vegetable, like kale,” says Katrine van Wyk, holistic health coach and author of Best Green Eats Ever. “All cruciferous vegetables have been shown to have potent cancer-fighting abilities.” Just one cup of Swiss chard serves up more than 700 percent of your daily vitamin K requirement. The veggie is also rich in antioxidants that help protect cells from environmental damage and stress from toxins.

Try it: Swiss Chard can be a tasty addition to soup, quiches, pasta and more, like these 20 amazing Swiss chard recipes.

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Kelp

Kelp is packed with magnesium, iron and calcium, which can promote healthy bones, skin and hair. What’s more, its high iodine content helps the thyroid function properly. (The thyroid regulates the body’s energy production.) “Kelp stands apart from traditional greens because it has certain enzymes that are found only in sea vegetables,” notes Jackie Newgent, RDN, nutritionist and author of The With or Without Meat Cookbook.

Try it: Mix one cup of kelp with three tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon honey. Add to hot, sautéed potatoes for a savory dish. We bet kelp isn’ t the only food from the sea that is about to become popular.

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Daikon radish

A staple in Asian cuisine (daikon is Japanese for “great root”), this white root vegetable adds a subtle bitterness to your meal, along with potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. “Eating bitter food helps us keep sweet cravings in check,” says van Wyk. “This is an easy one to throw in with other vegetables.”

Try it: Mix slices of daikon radish with your other favorite veggies—carrots, red peppers, etc.—and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 425 degrees until tender (time will depend on your mix of vegetables).

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Rutabaga

AKA: the yellow turnip or swede, this earthy root vegetable is becoming a popular replacement for mashed potatoes, says van Wyk. “It’s high in vitamin C and has a slightly sweet and bitter taste.” Pair it with lamb, sausage or other rich foods for a meal well balanced in flavor.

Try it: Our favorite way to enjoy rutabaga is in this irresistible and hearty savory pie. 

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Watercress

A relative of mustard greens and cabbage, this peppery vegetable boasts big benefits despite its small leaves. Researchers at William Paterson University gave watercress first place in a list of 41 healthy fruits and vegetables, due to its hefty concentration of vitamin K and vitamin A. The leafy vegetable also has high levels of glucosinolate compounds, which studies have found may inhibit breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers. “Watercress is just now catching on as an alternative to kale or arugula,” says Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, and author of the book Slim Down Now.

Try it: Sauté with olive oil until leaves are wilted and slightly crispy and season with pepper. Or, use it as the base of this crab and grapefruit salad.

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Cauliflower

This produce aisle staple is making a trendy comeback with foodies. It can be ground as a rice substitute, which is handy for Paleo-style diets. “Cauliflower is much more nutritious than white rice, and it doesn’t have that many carbs,” says van Wyk. A cup of cauliflower has fewer calories than a cup of broccoli, but packs in more potassium and vitamin B. Nutritionists hale cauliflower—another potent cruciferous veggie—for its cancer-fighting properties.

Try it: Shred florets in a food processor until they reach a rice-like consistency. Sauté in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat with olive oil. Try these 25 creative cauliflower recipes, too.

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BroccoLeaf

If you’ve never been a broccoli fan, you may be surprised that its leaves taste completely different (think sweet peas!). Trademarked as BroccoLeaf, just a serving size of one to two leaves offers 100 percent of your daily value of vitamin C and is also a hefty source of vitamin K, vitamin A, folate and potassium. “Broccoli leaves have always played a very important role in replenishing the soil for organic farmers,” says Ashley Koff, RD, celebrity dietitian and author of Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged. “It also helps the body detoxify and eliminate free radicals and oxidation that put us at risk for disease.”

Try it: Using 1 bunch BroccoLeaf, roll the trimmed leaves and slice into ½ inch wide “noodles.” Sauté with olive oil and garlic for two minutes, then top with crushed red chili flakes. In more of a broccoli mood? Check out these broccoli recipes even your kids will love.

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Microgreens

Tiny, young leaves—less than 14 days old—are popping up all over on restaurant menus. They may be little, but microgreens are concentrated with up to six times the nutrients of mature leaves of the same plant, found a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. “Chefs are trying to find ways to up the ante in taste, especially in healthier dishes,” says Newgent. “Microgreens are just as packed with flavor as they are with nutrients.”

Try it: Get creative. Use microgreens as a topping for lentil soup, sprinkle on tacos in place of lettuce or mix into an omelet with other veggies for a fresh health boost. Did you know microgreens are one of the superfoods you can grow yourself?

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Collard greens

Collard greens offer more than the daily recommended intake of bone-strengthening vitamin K. Western Regional Research Center researchers discovered that steamed collard greens may also have cholesterol-lowering potential. The green is high in fiber, which prevents constipation, and packed with vitamin A, which promotes healthy skin and hair.

Try it: Fill a steamer with two inches of water, then add chopped collard greens and steam for up to five minutes. Or, start your days with this hearty ham and collards quiche.

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Celery root

Celeriac, or celery root, is knobby and warty—but on the inside, it extraordinarily healthy. One cup of celeriac, which tastes similar to celery and parsley, offers nearly three-quarters of your daily vitamin K needs and 10 percent of your daily need of potassium, which is important for healthy blood pressure. These 23 other foods will help lower your blood pressure.

Try it: Chop and roast in olive oil, boil and puree into a mashed potato-like texture, or shred into a fresh salad.

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Dandelions

They’re not just weeds. Dandelions are becoming a popular homegrown food that offers 111 percent of your daily vitamin A requirements, plus vitamin C, iron and antioxidants. “Dandelions are delicious with salad and hold up well to a richer, creamy dressing,” says van Wyk. If you don’t garden, the green is easy to find at most natural food stores. However, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics warns against going outside of your own garden to pick wild greens, which can have potentially dangerous lookalikes in nature.

Try it: Chop raw dandelions and add to your favorite salad or sandwich, or sauté in oil for use in casseroles and other dishes.

Next, read about the healthiest veggies you can buy from the farmers market.