Kale is a nutritional superfood.
Whether you love kale or could live without it, it’s likely you have at least heard of this ruffled superfood. Prior to 2012, the primary kale users were caterers who used the greenery to line food displays. Dr. Oz introduced kale to his viewers in 2010, and in 2011, Gwyneth Paltrow baked kale chips on the Ellen show.
By 2012, Bon Appetit called it the “year of kale,” and Time Magazine listed kale as one of the top 10 food trends. Since that time, kale has become the “it” food, particularly on farm-to-table menus and with the U.S. (literally) eating it up. Fast-food chain McDonald’s even tested kale breakfast bowls in nine California locations.
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Over the years, the popularity of kale has not diminished. Here's a refresher on why you might want to add this superfood to your first order:
6 Nutrition Stats
Kale is a superstar nutritionally due to:
1. Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.
2. A single serving of kale contains 206% of your recommended daily amount of vitamin A, 684% of vitamin K, 134% of vitamin C and hefty doses of vitamin B6, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium and magnesium.
3. Kale gives you all the above nutrients for only 33 calories and 6 grams of carbs.
4. A serving of kale has two grams of fiber and three grams of protein.
5. While kale has little fat, the fat it does have is a healthy fat known as alpha-linolenic acid.
6. Kale contains powerful antioxidants such as Kaempferol and Quercetin.
6 Additional Health Benefits Of Kale
Nutrient-dense kale can also:
1. Lower cholesterol
2. Reduce the risk of heart disease
3. Reduce the risk of certain types of cancer
4. Protect eyesight with lutein and zeaxanthin
5. Help you lose weight due to its low calorie and high water content
6. Help those with diabetes keep blood sugar under control
A serving of kale has two grams of fiber and three grams of protein.
7 Ways To Get Kale Into Your Daily Diet
If you are trying to find creative ways to add kale into your daily diet, consider the following:
1. Use kale as a substitute in recipes that call for spinach.
2. Add some kale to your daily smoothie.
3. Try cooked kale for healthy dips like kale and artichoke dip.
4. Baked kale chips sprinkled with healthy spices are amazing.
5. Substitute kale for some or all of the lettuce in your salads.
6. Puree kale and combine with herbs for use in your favorite pesto recipe.
7. Add kale to your favorite soup recipe 15 minutes before the soup is finished cooking.
Find more creative kale recipes here.
3 Ways To Get Your Family Eating Kale
The health benefits of kale are often skipped because it can taste a little bitter to some people. There are three things you can do to improve the taste of kale, making it more enjoyable for you and your family members:
1. Massaging kale with a little oil and lemon juice for a few minutes can make it more tender, less bitter and can add a boost of flavor.
2. Try sauteing kale; not only does it shrink, making it easier to consume, it adds a subtle flavor to the kale while minimizing bitterness.
3. Turn your kids into kale-lovers by making kale chips. The crisp texture can convince even the youngest in your family to enjoy the benefits of kale.
For more kale tips, click here.
There is no doubt that the kale craze is at the peak of its season. Discover how Hungry Harvest can help get this highly nutritious superfood into your household today! Head to hungryharvest.net and use coupon code KALE50 for 50% off your first order.
