Sue Bedford (MSc Nutritional Therapy)
What is Kale and why is it so good for health and fertility?
Kale is a member of the cruciferous family and is packed full of antioxidants and nutrients. In addition to some key antioxidants such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese, Kale also provides us with at least 45 different recently discovered flavonoids, including kaempferol and quercetin. Many of the flavonoids in Kale are also now known to function not only as antioxidants, but also as anti-inflammatory compounds. Kale contains phyto-nutrients (particularly rich in Lutein and zeaxanthin) which are known to promote health by enhancing the immune system, repairing damage and protecting cells, and removing harmful products from the body, as well as reducing inflammation.
This makes Kale a fantastic choice for providing a healthy diet for fertility, especially for those with Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or Endometriosis. Kale is also an excellent source of beta carotene, and is also one of the best plant-based sources of calcium, which is important for fertility because calcium plays a role in egg maturation and follicular development. Why not try kale just sautéed in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil and a little garlic, or in combination with any other vegetable(s) that you may fancy, put a handful in your smoothie or try making these lovely Kale crisps as a nutritious snack?
Crispy Kale Crisps
Ingredients:
1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil or rapeseed oil
2 tsp cumin
½ tsp of sea salt
Pinch of black pepper
1 bunch of kale (cut into large crisp like sizes)
To make:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Rinse the Kale and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Place onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and drizzle with the olive oil/rapeseed oil and sprinkle with the seasoning and cumin. Bake in the oven for around 10 minutes or until the kale becomes crispy but not burnt! Allow to cool and enjoy! Quite nice with a sprinkle of cheese on too!
Diagnosis is key when trying to conceive. If you feel you have any of the symptoms of PCOS read our guide here and why not get a test here to find out if you have PCOS. If you do have PCOS, there are supplements and specialists courses to guide you at Babble Fertility shop.
