There's so many good things to say about kale, it's hard to know where to begin. Kale is trendier now than ever before, and it seems that everyone wants a bite. But the truth is that kale has been heralded in certain circles for centuries (and was cultivated as far back as Ancient Greece) – so there's little wonder why it's getting so much attention now, especially among people looking to eat a greener, cleaner diet.
Kale is loaded with vitamins and nutrients; just a 1-cup serving of this veggie provides an entire week's supply of vitamins A, K, and C that support immune health and major body organ system functioning. It is also a good source of essential Omega-fatty acids that the body requires to maintain optimal health, and it's loaded with fiber, iron, calcium, manganese, and other good stuff. For these factors alone, kale is – in every sense of the word – a superfood.
Among leafy greens, kale has no equivalent, at least from a nutritional standpoint. The Omega-fatty acids in kale – including 92 milligrams of Omega-6 and 121 milligrams of Omega-3, protect your body from stroke and heart disease and may even help ward off autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
The taste of kale depends on its type, but most people agree the taste is similar to a cross between asparagus and Brussel sprouts. Dinosaur kale is among the sweetest varieties, while curly kale has a slightly peppery and bitter taste. In general, the size of the leaves determines robustness of kale's flavor; the smallest leaves are milder, while larger leaves are more flavor intense.
If you're sold on the benefits of kale and want to give it a try, you're in for a treat; kale is a versatile veggie. Use kale's pale green leaves as part of a salad mix along with other greens such as Swiss chard, or sautee its darker greens in a yummy stir fry with a bit of garlic and some grass-fed butter. Toss a few handfuls of kale on your pizza for a nutrient-dense yet yummy addition to your pie, or throw some kale in your veggie soup for added nutritional value and taste. Some folks even add kale to their green smoothies to give their breakfast a powerful health-enhancing punch.