Chard

Chard is like two vegetables for the price of one – the stalks can be cooked like asparagus spears and the dark leaves can be steamed or stir fried.  It is high in vitamin C, folate and beta carotene. Both vitamin A and beta-carotene are important nutrients for healthy eyes and vision.  Beta-carotene has also been the subject of extensive cancer research and it’s potential to prevent oxygen-based damage to cells and tissues. Beta-carotene may help to protect against certain forms of cancer since it belongs to the family of phytonutrients known as carotenoids.