For centuries now people were obsessed of having the perfect body figure, thus they appealed to all sorts of dietary plans and miraculous plants that promised amazing results, an everlasting beautiful body and, of course, the chance of becoming more beautiful.
Particularly nowadays, when we are assaulted by unhealthy food and caloric bombs such as the fast food menus, it has become of extreme importance to know what to eat and exactly when and how much to it. Probably one of the most concerning health problems humanity is dealing with in the 21st century is obesity and all the health downsides that come with it – from cardiovascular problems to thyroid problems, blood pressure health problems, kidney or liver affections, etc. Of course, obesity is not impossible to conquer but it requires an iron discipline and, unfortunately, many years of struggle and an active lifestyle with loads of calories to be burned through sports and physical activities. The best thing out of it is that the sooner it is started, the better it will be for everyone. Infantile obesity currently ranks in top 3 health problems people from the United States confront with, but, with the right combination of power, will, determination and diet, all children can reconfigure their eating habits and educate themselves into consuming the right foods, unprocessed, as raw as possible and in smaller portions.
There are countless of websites, blogs and even personal experts militating for a raw-vegan lifestyle which includes aliments to be cooked less to nothing.
Obviously, most fruits, seeds and vegetables represent vitamin boosts when eaten raw, without damaging their curative properties through fire while cooking them.
But is it kale safe to be consumed in its natural stage, without being cooked, boiled, grilled or fried?
Kale represents a cruciferous plant derived from the same family as cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage and represents a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fibers and flavonoids. Be it as it may, kale still contains a chemical compound named isothiocyanates, which appears to harm the thyroid and cause further affections. But it appears that harmful chemical reactions to your body only occur when kale leaves are eaten raw and uncooked.
Does it mean we should always boil or thermally cook kale? Obviously not. Just like any other food in the world, responsible amounts of raw kale can be ingested without a problem and not lead to thyroid problems. Kale leaves, when eaten raw, release a rich source of vitamins which are crucial to the well functioning of the human body. Cruciferous veggies are safe to be consumed in their raw state once a day in a meal, including kale.
Now that we have that figured out, look below to find some of the most common and delicious ways to include kale in your daily menu and benefit from its truly amazing properties:
- Raw, in salads: The best thing about kale is that it can be consumed raw, unprocessed, uncooked, and still have a delicious taste. You can easily integrate kale leaves into your daily salad, along with any other veggies of your choice – add spring or red onion, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice and some seeds and you are ready to go. If you want to make your kale salad more consistent and not feel hungry 20 minutes after you finished eating it, our suggestion is to pair it with some smoked salmon slices, grilled chicken breast or even some delicious beef burgers.
- Boiled or cooked: Kale has a thick, gummy texture which is hard to chew on sometimes. And, while its leaves are perfect for a delicious, spring-summer salad, sometimes, the texture can also be soft, silky. Boil the kale thoroughly and enjoy an everlasting field of recipe possibilities. Kale is best boiled between 6 and 10 minutes, while it takes around 7 minutes to obtain that silky texture we were talking about earlier. This cruciferous vegetable can be successfully integrated into decadently tasting smoothies. Here is a good example – one can of organic coconut milk, one cup water, one cup frozen mango, one medium bunch of boiled kale, one cup of frozen berries. Blend all the ingredients until you obtain the smooth texture you like and serve each morning.
- In soups: Kale is a very good ingredient for delicious cream soups recipes. You can either blend it alone and mix it with some salt, pepper, chili flakes and lemon or integrate it as an ingredient in other soups. One of the most delicious soups that integrates kale contains the following ingredients (apart kale): 2 ounces of sliced bacon, 4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, half of chopped onion, salt, one medium apple chopped, a quarter cup of plain yogurt and some black pepper.
- Kale chips: Did you know kale chips are even tastier than regular potato chips? You can prepare them as easily but they will be far more nutritious for your health. Simply add some kale leaves into the oven together with olive oil and salt and bake for a few minutes. Onion rings, crispy potato chips? These kale chips will become your new snack favorites, especially if paired with a tasty pesto sauce or garlic dip.
But why should you eat kale regularly? Here are some of the best reasons:
- Kale is one of the most nutritious veggies in the entire world. Together with vitamins A, and C, kale also features high amounts of vitamin K, calcium, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, copper or magnesium. In addition, kale also contains smaller amounts of vitamins B1, B2 and B3. Not to mention it is a great source of fibers and proteins. Low in calories, rich in nutrients and omega 3 fatty acids? Kale is definitely a huge healthy investment for your future dietary lifestyle.
- Kale is rich in natural antioxidants. Antioxidants can be found in a series of fresh fruits and veggies, especially in berries and kale. Antioxidants help fighting against harmful exterior factors, reduce cancer incidence, keep your heart strong and your skin glowing and without wrinkles.
- Kale reduces the level of bad cholesterol. Keeping track of your cholesterol level will help prevent heart and vascular diseases. Steamed kale is the perfect solution to fight against all these health affections.
- Rich in beta-carotene. Forget about nuts, broccoli or the infamous carrot. Kale also consists of high levels of beta-carotene, which can be further transformed into powerful sources of vitamin A.
- Rich in Lutein, an important nutrient that, along with vitamin A, will bring you healthy eyes and a falcon sight. You can even improve your seeing and prevent cataracts or other eye infections by introducing kale in your regular dietary routine.
- Kale might even help you lose weight. As plenty of people worldwide suffer from obesity, miraculous natural ingredients that help you lose weight in a healthy lifestyle will always be popular. Since it is low on calories and extremely rich in vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, Lutein and proteins, kale can easily substitute any other food in your diet and help you lose weight. Make sure to blend some kale leaves in your daily smoothies and you will soon notice the differences.
