When it comes down to finding new foods to add to your diet very few of us give kale a second glance. While kale certainly does not receive the fanfare and attention many of the so called “newly discovered” super foods, it is definitely a hero in its own right. In fact with regard to nutritional value, kale does more than just hold its own, it is a true “Nutritional Champion” worthy of a gold medal.
Low Fat, Low Calories
One of the most important things about kale is that not only is this leafy green vegetable low in fat, it is also very low in calories. As a member of the Brassica family, kale does have a mild flavor similar to that of cabbage. This particular vegetable family includes several familiar varieties such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and collard greens.
Among the many nutritional benefits of kale are tons of vitamin C which your body needs to help fight off infections, plenty of vitamin A which is good for your skin and eyes, and vitamin K which helps keep your bones strong. It also contains a healthy amount of calcium along with many other minerals your body needs. Kale is loaded with chlorophyll and fiber, which not only make it deep green in color, but also help keep your bowel functions in good working order.
Great for a Winter Crop
One of the great things about kale is that it can be grown practically year round as this hearty plant is not affected by the cold days of winter. It is very frost resistant, in fact it is so hearty that growing it was heavily encouraged in the Victory Gardens planted during the Second World War. Victory Gardens were planted to help reduce people’s reliance on the food supplies available in stores as a way to ensure more food could be shipped to the troops fighting on two or more fronts. At the same time those who chose to grow gardens could also contribute to their local communities. The best part is that kale is very easy to grow, and is capable of providing many nutrients that might be missing from your standard diet.
