Who doesn’t love a tasty, crunchy snack when the munchies strike? Well, before you grab that potato or corn-based chip, get ready for something much better. The raw kale chip is here, and it’s a brave new world. For optimal benefits, make sure your chips are raw, not baked, which means they were dehydrated at or below 115 degrees to protect the nutrients, phytochemicals, enzymes, and other natural constituents, as well as ensuring a vibrant, explosive flavor. Here are 5 reasons to dig in to these crispy gems with zeal:
They are nutritional royalty
Kale is a cruciferous (cancer-fighting) veggie loaded with nutrients including vitamins A, C and K, folate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc and more, plus fiber and carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin, which prevent macular degeneration (vision loss in old age) and cataracts. Kale is also chlorophyll-dense, helping to create a more alkaline body climate.
They are scrumptious
Properly prepared raw kale chips deliver tremendous flavor and absolutely melt in your mouth. While fresh kale can less than appetizing for some people, given the density of the leaves, it is precisely that hearty structure that makes kale the perfect power green to transform into chips. What a superb way to take advantage of this Queen of Greens!
They can help keep you trim
While potato chips pack 154 calories and a whopping 10.3 grams of heat-damaged fat, fiber-dense kale chips are another story, with a far happier ending. Fresh kale contains about 33 calories and less than 1 fat gram, so even when these chips are prepared with a raw nut or seed-based sauce, they are still a calorie bargain. This incredibly nutritious, highly satiating snack that fills you up without filling you out.
They help your appestat work for you
We have a mechanism in our brains called the appestat, which helps to regulate appetite and food intake. Foods high in vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy oils address your body’s nutritional needs with great efficiency, prompting the appestat to signal to your body that you are full when you have consumed a reasonable amount, so you are less likely to overeat. A major key to enlightened eating is to target foods that pack in the most nutrients for the fewest calories.
They’re great for your heart
Raw kale chips made with a touch of olive oil are free of cholesterol, saturated fats and Trans fats. Olive oil is a heart-healthy, helping to boost “good” (HDL) and reduce “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, though it best used very sparingly. Additionally, the fiber (both soluble and insoluble), potassium, vitamin C and B6 content in kale all support cardiovascular health. Boosting potassium in your diet while scaling back on sodium is especially important for heart health.
Raw kale is awesome, and if you love it fresh, more power to you. But for all those folks who don’t eat big kale salads, raw kale chips are an invaluable way to reap the innumerable benefits offered by this superfood extraordinaire. By all means make sure your chips are made with organic kale, however. Conventionally grown kale is a Dirty Dozen item, which means it made the list compiled by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) calling out twelve fruits and veggies with some of the highest levels of pesticides to be found in the produce aisle. Organic kale is where it’s at. Eat and thrive!