On St. Patrick's Day, kids love to wear green – and pinch those who don't! Another favorite is to drink tinted lemon-lime soda or milk. This year, why not use this day to introduce your child to a new green vegetable, or make the ones he likes in a new, exciting way.

Green vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet and should be included each day, according to Peggy O'Shea, a Boston, Mass.-based registered dietitian and a member of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association board of directors. "Green vegetables contain varying amounts of many different vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, B vitamins and vitamin E as well as important phytochemicals, antioxidants, fiber and some even contain a significant amount of calcium," she says.

When selecting green vegetables, keep in mind that the darker the green, the more nutrients they contain. "The nutrient content of iceberg lettuce (very light green) is very low in comparison to darker green choices such as spinach or broccoli," O'Shea says. "Each green vegetable has unique benefits and [is] high in different vitamins and minerals."

Some of the most nutritious green vegetables include spinach, broccoli (a cruciferous vegetable, which have been shown to possibly reduce cancer risk), kale and green peppers.

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