Get to Know Your New Friend Kale
By Sara Butler
Kale has been a pretty popular vegetable over the last couple of years. Chances are you’ve tried a kale chip or two. If you weren’t impressed, that’s OK. There are plenty of ways to enjoy kale and even more reasons why you should give it another chance. Here’s what you should know about the benefits of kale and some ideas to make it tasty!
Why Kale is Healthy
There are so many healthy reasons to try kale. For starters, it doesn’t have a lot of calories but is super high in fiber. One small cup of this green stuff has about 36 calories and 5 grams of fiber! This helps to keep your digestion in tip-top shape and helps you to feel fuller for longer. Plus, kale has so many other vitamins and nutrients, your body will be happy to have it!
It also includes:
- Riboflavin
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Iron
- Folate
- Thiamin
- Magnesium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin K
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Calcium
It’s Anti-Inflammatory
Kale is a pretty great anti-inflammatory food since it is filled with omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, one cup of kale will provide your body with 10 percent of its daily omega-3 needs, helping it to fight inflammation and chronic diseases such as arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and asthma.
It’s Great for Your Vision
Kale is dark green due to two nutrients, zeaxanthin and lutein. These nutrients have been shown to help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration and contribute to healthy vision. They work by filtering out the harmful wavelength of light, according to the America Optometric Association. Blocking the wavelengths of light help to maintain healthy cells in the eyes and protect them.
How to Eat Kale
You can find a way to prepare kale that appeals to everyone under your roof. And believe it or not, it’s really a versatile food. You can add it to smoothies, make chips in different flavors, or you can:
- Steam it
- Shred it to add to salads
- Sauté it with garlic and onions
- Add to soups and stews
- Add to casseroles
If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can also juice kale along with some fruit.
However you slice it (or chop it or tear it), kale is good for you. So, give it another try and find a new way to include it in your diet!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Shiloh, Ill.