1. Chinese Vegetables
While living in China I experimented cooking with healthy
Chinese foods found at the local markets. Here are some common
vegetables you may or may not already be familiar with.

2. Chinese Broccoli
My personal favorite Chinese vegetable, broccoli, is commonly
served in restaurants as a side dish or appetizer. It can be eaten
fresh in salads, steamed in dumplings or cooked in entrees such as
stir-fries and soups. It is a good source of vitamin C and dietary
fiber. Chinese broccoli also contains multiple cancer-fighting
nutrients.

3. Edamame
Edamame, literally meaning “twig-bean”, are young soy beans. These
have become very popular in Western countries due to the awareness of
soy’s health benefits. They are a great source of plant protein, at 11
grams per half of a cup, and only 120 calories! Edamame are also very
high in fiber and iron. Because of this, many vegan proteins are made
from these beans. They are tasty as a healthy snack sprinkled with a
small amount of sea salt or cooked in casseroles, stir-fries and soups.

4. Bok Choy
Bok Choy is the most popular mainland crops in most of Asia. It
tastes great raw, boiled or steamed and is usually served seasoned
with sesame oil, sesame seeds or soy sauce. Bok Choy is extremely
low in calories (only 13 per 100 grams) but rich in vitamin A, vitamin
C and calcium. It is also high in antioxidants, phytonutrients and
vitamin K, which helps strengthen bones and delay osteoporosis.

5. Bamboo Shoots
As the name implies, bamboo shoots are harvested from the bamboo
plant. Not as common in Western countries, they are a popular Asian
ingredient. Before cooking, the outer layers are taken off and typically
sliced into thin strips then parboiled to remove their bitterness. Bamboo
is a low-calorie plant protein that can help reduce bad cholesterol, aid in
digestion, control blood pressure and remove toxins from the body.

6. Leeks
Leeks are part of the same family as onion and garlic. When boiled they
have are soft with a mild taste, and when sautéed they are crunchy with a
stronger taste. Leeks are high in folate, which supports cardiovascular
health, as well as unique flavonoids that help protect blood vessels from
damage. They also have laxative, antiseptic, diuretic, and anti-arthritic
properties. My favorite recipe: Garlic, potato and leek soup!