Kale Crazy: 10 Reasons To Love Kale
February 26, 2013Kale Crazy: 10 Reasons To Love Kale
by Tammy J. Colter, Editor-In-Chief
Kale has not always been a popular vegetable at the dinner table. At least not at my home. Growing up, I don't think I ever even heard of it or tasted it. It's just as well, I probably would have pushed it aside and tried every trick in the book not to have to put a morsel in my mouth. But not these days! There is a craze out there about this delicious superfood and more and more people are incorporating it in to their diets and I am one of them!
So what's all the latest fuss about kale? This tasty, leafy veggie is super rich in nutrients and has fast become a vegetable favorite. And for good reason. Here are 10 reasons why you should love kale:
- Kale has zero grams of fat
- Kale is low in calories (one cup=35 calories)
- It is high in vitamin K
- It is high in calcium
- Kale is high in fiber
- Kale has lot’s of iron
- Kale help to lower your blood pressure
- Kale helps fight against arthritis and other autoimmune diseases and is a great anti-inflammatory vegetable
- Kale is filled with antioxidants
- Kale is high in vitamin A
You can't beat those 10 reasons to incorporate kale in to your diet! You can add kale to smoothies, soups, salads, pastas, veggie stir fry's, omelette's and more.
Have you tried kale chips? I absolutely love these crispy chips as a quick snack. I buy the pre-washed kale that is already cut in to bite size pieces. In a large bowl, I mix one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with whatever seasoning that I am in the mood for and then toss the leaves in the mixture. I then spread the coated kale on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. I usually like to add a rosemary-garlic spice or cajun spices but you can add any seasoning of your choice. Hint: The kale chips are better if eaten immediately. I made the mistake of putting them in to a baggie to eat later and although they still tasted good, the crispness was gone!
I also like kale steamed with a little salt, pepper, and vinegar!
Did You Know?
-Kale is a member of the Brassica family which also includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts.
-There are different types of kale that come in various colors that include: purple, blueish green, white and green.
-One cup of raw kale contains over 100% of the daily value of Vitamins A, C, K.
