Did you know there are many different varieties of kale used in Irvine, CA? That ornamental kale you see in planters and on salad bars are different varieties than the ones you eat, but still edible. Even within the edible varieties, there are huge differences in flavor and appearance. For instance, red kale tastes milder than curly kale, and they both look and taste different than walking stick kale. What do they all have in common? It’s the health benefits of kale.
Add kale to your salads to boost flavor and nutrients.
This versatile veggie can be cooked or eaten raw. It’s becoming more and more popular in salads, especially when you consider how many more nutrients it offers compared to other leafy greens, like iceberg lettuce. It had a high amount of vitamin K, C, A and a large amount of copper and manganese. It also contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and E, folate, calcium, copper, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and Omega3 fatty acids. Kale is one of the most nutrient packed plants you can find.
Fill up on kale salad if you want to lose weight and stay healthy.
Kale is a low calorie option that tastes amazing. Create a big salad with kale, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds and a vinaigrette dressing. It’s delicious and filling, but extremely low in calories. It offers plenty of protein and fiber, which is important for weight loss. You can use it as a side dish, too. The green you see in the Zuppa Toscana at the Olive Garden is kale. You can sauté kale with mushrooms and tomatoes as a side dish. There are many ways to include it in your diet to help you blast off the pounds, while enjoying every minute of eating.
There’s no better time than now to boost your immune system.
Kale is filled with potent antioxidants in the form of beta carotene and vitamin C. It also has flavonoids and polyphenols that help your immune system. These antioxidants help protect your cells from oxidative damage that can lead to aging, serious conditions and even death. The flavonoids in kale, kaempferol and quercetin offer anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant and anti-cancer benefits.
- Eating kale also helps you lower your blood pressure and protect your heart. It also has bile acid sequestrants that lower cholesterol levels.
- Kale reduces the potential for Alzheimer’s and dementia by providing nutrients that slow mental decline as you age.
- Kale contains high amounts of vitamin K and goitrogen that increase the blood clotting ability of the blood. If you’re on blood thinners or have hypothyroidism, always check with your health care professional before including kale in your diet.
- Spinach is almost as laden with nutrients as kale, including high amounts of calcium. However, spinach is also high in oxalate, while kale isn’t. Oxalate not only prevents absorption of calcium and other nutrients and may cause kidney stones.
For more information, contact us today at Next Level Fitness