Kicking It with Kale

I was recently turned on to Kale. Most people know it as the main ingredient of the Green Drink, but I love to add it to my egg omelets as a substitute for regular spinach. It adds a little color, plus some substance to fill it out. Kale gives you more bang for your buck because it is low in calories and high in fiber. That’s effective in helping you feel fuller (from fiber) for longer periods of time throughout the day, which makes you not want to eat. It also has zero fat. One cup of kale only has 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat. Fiber also helps with digestion and elimination of waste products. That brings me to nutrients: vitamins, folate (important for DNA synthesis) and magnesium (bone health) as well as iron are all present in kale. As a matter of fact, it has more iron than beef per calorie. Iron is necessary formation of hemoglobin and enzymes, transporting oxygen to various parts of the body, cell growth, proper liver function and more. You also get a wealth Kale is high in Vitamins K and C. Eating a diet high in Vitamin K can help protect against various cancers (antioxidants – carotenoids and flavonoids), enhance bone health and the prevent blood clots. Vitamin C is helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and hydration.

Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. One cup of kale is filled with just 10% of the recommended daily value of omega-3 fatty acids, can fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders. It is great for cardiovascular support by lowering cholesterol levels.

Did you know that per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk? It’s true. This aids in preventing bone loss, slowing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility.

Looking for a detox to help jump-start that diet? Kale is a great detox food. That’s because it’s filled with fiber and sulfur. Both of these substances are great for detoxifying your body (with waste elimination) and keep your liver healthy.

So give kale a try. The time for going green has never been better. I assure you that you won’t regret it.