Kale belongs to the mustard family. Kale has a spicier and more pronounced flavor than your typical lettuce. It is also heartier and crisp with a hint of earthiness.
Kale grows well in the colder winter months, so can be a great addition to your fruit and vegetable routine when other produce is not as readily available.
Kale can be enjoyed raw in salads or on sandwiches or wraps, braised, boiled, sautéed or added to soups…. all varieties you can taste at our café evergreen…we incorporate Kale to many of our dishes.
How to make our sautéed Kale???? One of our favorite Sides:
Sauté fresh garlic and onions in extra-virgin olive oil until soft. Add kale and continue to sauté until desired tenderness…enjoy!
Here are 10 great benefits of adding more kale to your diet:
- Kale is high in fiber and water content, which helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract. One cup of Kale has 5 grams of fiber.
- Kale is high in iron. Per calorie, kale has more iron than beef. Iron is essential for good health, such as the formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more.
- Kale is high in Vitamin K. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers. It is also necessary for a wide variety of body functions including normal bone health and blood clotting. Also increased levels of vitamin K can help people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
- Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants and helps protect against various cancers.
- Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with 10% of the RDA of omega-3 fatty acids, which help, fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders.
- Kale has zero fat and is low in calorie. One cup of kale, 0 grams of fat and only 36 calories. Kale is great for cardiovascular support. Eating more kale can help lower cholesterol levels.
- Kale is high in Vitamin A, a nutrient which is needed for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair. Vitamin A is great for your vision, as well as helping to prevent lung and oral cavity cancers.
- Kale is high in Vitamin C. This is very helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and your hydration.
- Kale is high in calcium. Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk, which aids in preventing bone loss, preventing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility
- Kale is a great detox food. Kale is filled with fiber and sulfur, both great for detoxifying your body and keeping your liver healthy.
So if you are not already a “kale lover” maybe it’s time to give kale a chance. Trust me, your body will thank you!