Kale contains a wide range of nutrients. Photo / Thinkstock
Kale contains a wide range of nutrients. Photo / Thinkstock
What the A to Z of winter wellness is all about
When the chill factor drops our focus on good health often drifts. Not only are we more susceptible to nasty winter lurgies, but the temptation to hibernate can mean less moving and not as much focus on the rightfood for optimal health. In a bid to stay focused (or re-focus) this winter, we've called on the smarts of holistic health expert, Dr Libby Weaver to help compile our interactive A to Z of Winter Wellness. Each weekday we will reveal the next letter and what it stands for in our health file, plus informative graphics and recipe suggestions to help boost your health. Check in to Life & Style every afternoon for your winter wellness inspiration. - Nicky Park, Life & Style Editor
K | Kale by Dr Libby Weaver
Kale or "the queen of greens" as it's often referred to, packs a mighty nutritional punch. Kale contains a wide range of nutrients including vitamins C and K and is packed full of antioxidants. Eating a diet high in vitamin K, mainly found in leafy greens, has been shown to help protect against various cancers. It's also an important vitamin for a wide variety of bodily functions including the maintenance of healthy bones as well as healthy blood clotting. Kale is also rich in beta-carotene, some of which the body converts into vitamin A, essential for healthy vision and skin. If you weren't already convinced by the benefits of including kale in your diet, it also supports the body's detoxification processes, is good source of sulphur and fibre, both of which are essential for a healthy bowel and liver. You'll often hear me saying to amp up your greens, and incorporating kale is an easy and cost effective way to do so. It's great in pesto, soups, stir-fries or frittatas - you can also use it in juices and smoothies.
Dr Libby Weaver (Ph.D) is one of Australasia's leading nutrition specialists and weight loss experts based in Auckland, New Zealand. For more information visit www.drlibby.com.
