Monday, November 11, 2013

Top Sources of Vegetable Protein

Ever wondered what percentage of protein makes up some of your favourite vegetables. Check out some of the best sources of vegetable protein.

Mushrooms 52%
 
Spinach 43%
 

Broccoli 35%

Parsley 35%

Cauliflower 30%

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Superfood Kale

Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet. A leafy green, kale is available in curly, ornamental, or dinosaur varieties. It belongs to the Brassica family that includes cruciferous vegetables such as Cabbage, Broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fibre, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.

Kale’s health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration and excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K which help protect against cancer.

The fibre content of kale binds bile acids and helps lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when kale is cooked instead of raw.

Quick cooking preserves kale's nutrients, texture, colour, and flavour. Rinse kale, chop it finely, and add it soups, stews, stir-fries, salads, egg dishes, or casseroles. Top pizzas with kale for added nutritional goodness. Steam kale for five minutes to make it more tender or eat it raw. You can also substitute it for spinach or silverbeet in recipes.

Curly Kale