Eat More Kale!

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kaleThere is such a buzz around kale these day.  It has come along way from a little known curly green leafy vegetable into a phenomenal thing found in a huge number of fridges around the world.

But exactly what is it about kale that makes it the superfood that everyone proclaims it to be?  And is it as good as they say?

The short answer is:

YES!kaleHere are 6 reasons you should eat more Kale:

1. Zero Fat

Containing only 36 calories per cup and zero fat, Kale is only full of goodness in the form of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

2. Magnesium

Without magnesium, our muscles would be in a constant state of contraction.  So it is an essential part of any balanced diet.

3. High in Iron

One cup of kale contains more iron than a big piece of steak.  

Iron is a mineral that is needed for our bodies as it essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body via the red blood cells and it helps our muscles to store and use oxygen.  Kale

Iron also helps with the way enzymes digest our foods effectively.

4. High in Fibre

Fibre aids digestion by keeping the waste moving through your gut helping to prevent constipation and more serious illness such as diverticulitis.

It will also help hunger cravings by creating a feeling of fullness for longer which will help with weight loss.

5. Contains Vitamins A, C & K

Vitamin A benefits your eyes and skin, Vitamin C is a great immune booster and Vitamin K has been shown to prevent various cancers and Alzheimer’s as well as assisting with bone health.

kale4. High in Calcium

Dairy foods and rich leafy greens such as kale are the best foods to ensure an adequate dietary intake of calcium.

Kale actually contains more calcium per calorie than milk does!  

Calcium is what makes our bones strong and without enough, bones can become brittle from a condition called osteoporosis as our stocks deplete leading to fractures, especially in later life.

5. Anti-Oxidant Rich

Anti-oxidants reduce free radicals in the blood.  Free radicals are molecules which, if allowed to roam unchecked can cause widespread cell damage leading to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Any anti-oxidant rich foods are of great benefit to life!  

6. Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Essential for lowering triglyceride levels and decreasing your risk of heart disease and also crucial in the fight against rheumatoid arthritis pain. These fatty acids can also decrease the incidence of asthma and Alzheimer’s disease.  kale


Superfoods are the best way for your body to get the nutrients you need without resorting to expensive supplements.  

And the nutrient-dense kale certainly packs a punch that is hard to compete with.  If you want to grow old together with your partner, eat more kale!

In my house we have green smoothies daily as a way to get our daily dose of goodness.  How do you get yours?

Love,

Kris


 

6 Comments

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  1. 1
    Green

    Hello Kris, you mentioned that iron is a mineral that is needed for our bodies as its essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body via the red blood cells and it helps our muscles to store and use oxygen. My question is to get these benefits you mentioned, should you eat raw or cooked kale? If I cooked this what would be the best method, steaming, stir-frying, in a soup, or keep it simple and put it in a salad? Thanks for your input ~Sherry

    • 2
      Kris

      Hi Sherry, because dark green leafy vegetables are so fibre dense, cooking kale by lightly steaming does make all the nutrients more bio-available to your body and easier to digest. 2 cups of raw kale is equivalent – nutrient wise – to 1 cup of cooked kale.

      When used raw in a smoothie, I make sure I add a couple of handfuls of ice in order to help break down the tough fibres and make it digestible.

      Otherwise, I finely chop and add kale to just about anything I am cooking from quiche, lasagne, bolognese sauce, vegetable stock, or it is lovely lightly steamed and added to salad.

      Enjoy your kale!

      Kris

  2. 3
    Wendy

    I love Kale and eat it often. Actually I make sure I get a healthy does of greens every day. So if it’s not kale, then it is collard greens or spinach. How do I like my Kale? I love to make kale chips. They are a great substitute for those of us who like a healthy snack. My problem is I could eat an entire bowl. I love my Kale chips.

  3. 5
    Henning

    Thanks for an interesting article about one of my favorite foods – kale. Your comment on cooked versus raw kale is very useful, I wondered about that but deciced on the cooked version, because I like kale with beans.

    Nice to know about kale’s ability to lower triglyceride levels in our blood. Appreciated.

    • 6
      Kris

      Hi there and thanks for your comment. It really is a superfood that actually deserves the hype.

      Apparently it is quite easy to grow which would be handy if you eat a lot.

      That might be my next challenge!

      Cheers, Kris

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