Consuming Swiss chard may lower your risk of certain chronic diseases, help promote weight loss, help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and support heart health. Chard is technically a member of the beet family (which is also why beet greens are delicious when cooked). In many ways, chard is a bonus green that has two vegetables in one: the leaves can be cooked much like kale or spinach, and the stalk can be cooked, too, which adds a different texture to the dish.