Health Benefits of Kale

Last week, we discovered the health benefits of tomatoes. Today, we’re going to find out how nutritious kale is.

I didn’t appreciate kale until I was in my twenties. But once I tried it, there was no going back. I fell passionately in love with kale, its texture, its taste, its health benefits. Everything.

Kale is delicious to me either way – cooked or raw. I’ve enjoyed it as a base for salad, ingredient in smoothies, and cooked like traditional turnip, mustard, or collard greens.

One of the things I love most about kale is its texture. It has a chewy texture that remains when cooked. I love chewy foods (like steel-cut oatmeal) so I think that’s why kale appeals to me so much. Some of you may not love the chewy aspect of kale – but I urge you to give it a try!

In smoothies, you may have to add a little extra fruit or sweetener to balance out the earthy taste kale brings to the table but I don’t mind that either.

Fun Fact

“Like broccoli, cauliflower, and collards, kale is a descendent of the wild cabbage, a plant thought to have originated in Asia Minor and to have been brought to Europe around 600 B.C. by groups of Celtic wanderers. Curly kale played an important role in early European foodways, having been a significant crop during ancient Roman times and a popular vegetable eaten by peasants in the Middle Ages. English settlers brought kale to the United States in the 17th century.”—WH Foods

Kale is chock-full of vitamins, minerals – and even fiber! – that will help keep our bodies healthy. Our bodies crave such nutrition. Feed the need!

Just check out this handy-dandy nutrition chart from Whole Foods.

Additional benefits of kale:

• rich in antioxidants and micronutrients
• anti-cancer (due to “glucosinolates” nutrients)
• anti-inflammatory
• lowers cholesterol
• aids in detoxification
• and more!

Berry Coconut Kale Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 small frozen bananas
• 1-2 tablespoons almond butter
• 2 cups coconut milk (accidentally poured this much so it was a runnier smoothie and not real thick)
• 5 big strawberries (with tops)
• 1 single serving packet berry flavored Amazing Grass (I just typed Amazing GRACE lol)

Directions:

1. Toss in frozen banana chunks, strawberries, almond butter, coconut milk, kale, and Amazing Grass.
2. Crush ice (for the frozen banana chunks).
3. And then hit blend for a few seconds.
4. Lastly, hit liquefy for a few seconds. (I feel the liquefy button at the end creates a super smooth smoothie.)

Note: Use less coconut milk (or liquid of choice) for a thicker smoothie. This one made 3 cups – definitely enough for 2 hungry bellies!

Other ways to incorporate kale in to your life:

juices

salads

soups

kale chips

Warning: If you have kidney or gall bladder issues, you may want to avoid kale as it contains Oxalates, a naturally-occurring substance that can become too concentrated in body fluids. When this happens, they can crystallize and cause health problems. Consult your doctor before consuming if you have thyroid issues as kale is sometimes considered a goitrogenic food.

Have you ever tried kale? Do you prefer it raw or cooked? Have you tossed it in a smoothie yet? If you haven’t given kale a chance yet, will you now that you know how nutritious it is? Let’s talk about it!

Reference:
WH Foods: Kale

Disclaimer: The information in this post is intended to simply share the abundance of nutrition kale can provide. I am not a doctor, nor do I hold any nutrition title. I have a fascination with raw foods and their health benefits and healing powers. Please consult your physician and nutritionist or dietician, etc., for your health care needs.

Michele L. Tune (aka Raw Juice Girl) is a freelance writer and blogger, with a focus on health and eco-friendly living topics. She loves garden-fresh produce and enjoys weaving live ingredients into fresh juices, smoothies, and meals. Incorporating raw foods and liquids helped her lose over 100 pounds several years ago. A newlywed, Michele’s husband brings his passion for gardening, fresh air, and exercise – particularly bicycle riding – to the table. Visit www.healingwithjuices.com to learn more.