Here is why you should eat more cabbage

When planning a meal, cabbage may not be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s not the sexiest vegetable out there, but it is packed with nutrients and fiber, and you would be surprised what you can do with this cruciferous, leafy powerhouse.

Cabbage comes in many varieties, including green, purple, and white. The brightly colored purple cabbage is not only beautiful, but contains anthocyanins, which have been proven to have anti-carcinogenic properties… meaning, it helps your body fight off cancer. My favorite way to use purple cabbage:  I slice the cabbage paper thin, and add it on top of corn tortillas with a dollop of my secret ingredient, finely chopped sweet onions, shredded purple cabbage, chopped tomatoes, and crown it with some avocado. De-lish!

Cabbage is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and is a good source of fiber. Are you trying to maintain a healthy weight? Try adding cabbage into a mixed green salad. It will help fill you up, keep you regular, and fits into the zero-calorie group. I love to make a salad of shredded Napa cabbage, which has a sweet, crunchy celery flavor. Add a spoonful of rice wine vinegar, a few drops of sesame oil, some toasted sesame seeds, and a handful of edamame. Yum!

Folic acid is one of the essential components of DNA. Are you listening pregnant moms? Not only will adding cabbage to your diet help protect your baby from birth defects, but it will satisfy your rumbling tummy without adding unnecessary calories. Try chopping up some bok choy and stir-frying with other colorful veggies such as carrots, mushrooms, sugar snaps, and garlic. This is my family’s favorite way to use up the produce from our Full Circle delivery before the next one arrives! Paired with some quinoa, you will enjoy a high protein, high nutrient, low calorie meal that’s good for you and for baby too!

Cabbage is a good source of vitamin C and vitamin K. Vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenging, harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals. Enough vitamin K in the diet makes your bone stronger, healthier and delays osteoporosis.

While taking a multi-vitamin daily is a good idea, adding cabbage to your diet just bolsters the good work your vitamin of choice is doing for your health. Like other green vegetables, it is good source of many essential vitamins such as riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and thiamin. Replenish.
In addition, it is very natural source of electrolytes and minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, iron and magnesium, which can help control heart rate and blood pressure. Iron is required for red blood cell formation and is an important mineral for expecting mothers as it helps in avoiding anemia.