Kale, kale, kale. What can we say? Not only is it affordable and one of the healthiest veggies around, it’s a great addition to any meal. We love using it as a base for pizza, taco salad, sesame seed salad, cranberry salad, and even chips.
Here are 4 reasons why Kale rocks our socks!
1. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals
Just 1 cup of cooked Kale provides 1327% (no, that’s not a typo) of our daily value of vitamin K! It also provides 354% of our vitamin A needs and 88.8% of our vitamin C requirements. Kale is also a good source of copper, tryptophan, calcium, vitamin B6, potassium, iron and magnesium.
2. It offers a healthy dose of fiber
One cup provides about 10% of our daily fiber needs, which help to lower cholesterol, keep us regular, prevent colon cancer and keep our blood sugar in check.
3. It protects us against cancer and other chronic diseases
Kale is rich in two very important cancer fighting antioxidants: carotenoids and flavanoids. Carotenoids help to protect our body from oxidative stress, which not only helps to ward off cancer, but decreases our risk of developing cataracts, atherosclerosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
4. Our taste buds love it
Yes, Kale has a plethora of health benefits, but one reason why we heart it is simply for its taste. It is great both cooked and raw, and can be added to almost ANY dish to amp up the flavor. Make sure to rinse Kale leaves under cold running water before preparing. If you are eating raw Kale, chop and massage the leaves with a teaspoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt to decrease bitterness. Steaming is also a great way to maximize the nutrition and flavor of the Kale. After cooking, try topping with a homemade salad dressing for extra flavor.
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