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Why Kale is King

Kale is a superfood and was called one of the top 10 healthiest foods on the planet. If you’re not into kale yet, it’s time to give the dark leafy green another look-see.

Naturopathic physician, Deidre Orceyre, at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the George Washington University Medical Center says,“Any vegetable that has a very deep color the way kale does, means there is a high concentration of nutrients, and that translates into a range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body.”

Here are some undeniable benefits of eating king kale:

  1. High fiber, low calories and zero fat: One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat. This makes it great for aiding digestion and increasing elimination. Kale is chocked full of vital vitamins and nutrients such as folate and magnesium.

  2. Iron warrior: Can you believe kale has more iron than beef (per calorie)? Iron is awesome for building healthy blood and hemoglobin. It promotes healing in the body, cell renewal and proper liver function.

  3. Vitamin K: Vitamin K is known to prevent various forms of cancer. It is also good for bone health and prevents blood clotting. Vitamin K is being used to treat Alzheimer’s disease as well.

  4. Antioxidant Powerhouse: Kale has so many super antioxidants such as carotenoids and flavonoids help protect against cancers and increase your overall health and wellbeing.

  5. Anti-inflammatory: Kale is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which combats arthritis, asthma and various autoimmune disorders.

  6. Heart health: Eating more kale is good for cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

  7. Vitamin A: Which is great for your skin, eyesight and lung health is abundant in kale.

  8. Vitamin C: Everyone knows the remedy when you’re sick – Vitamin C. For good reason too – it’s great for your immune system, your metabolism and for increasing hydration in the body.

  9. Calcium: Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk. Calcium, as we all know, is great for bone health, cartilage, joint health, preventing bone loss, osteoporosis and also maintaining a healthy metabolism. 

  10. Detox: Fiber and sulfur is prevalent in kale, which are both great for cleansing and detoxifying the body and keeping your liver in tip top shape.

Tips for making kale deiciuos:

  • Toss the stem – the stem can be a turn off when it comes to testure and it’s bitter flavor so just slide your fingers along the stem to take the leafy part off and ditch the stem.

  • Massage the leaves – I know it might sound strange, but massaging the kale with ollve oil takes the waxy part off the leaves making it more delightful to chew in a salad (and not so rubbery).

  • Juice or blend it. If you have trouble downing the green royalty, then drop it in a smoothie or juice it with fruits so the fruit sugars hide the taste.
  • Try a kale chip. If you haven’t tried these yummy snacks, you’re missing out! Kale chips are super yummy and easy to make at home for a health conscious snack.