Packed with vitamins and minerals, cabbage is a great vegetable to add to your diet. Eating it raw or consuming the delicious cabbage soup both ways, the vegetable has huge benefits that must not be ignored. There are many varieties of cabbages available in crinkled or smooth leaves from color ranging from red to purple. The most commonly used is purple and white cabbage in salads, coleslaw, and pasta, etc.
Although cabbage is super beneficial, people do avoid it in salads or rice, etc. thinking it may cause some gastric issues, flatulence, or hard to digest. Well, the cabbage is slow soluble and digestive, but due to these properties, it is very effective in weight loss diets or curing digestive issues.
You may find a huge lot of debates on whether you can eat cabbage leaves raw or not. Honestly, this is all your choice, perhaps your digestive system may take longer to burn it out, but it doesn’t have to do anything with the benefits of this vegetable. Consume it as you like, and it will deliver numerous nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants to your body.
How to include cabbage in your diet
Cabbage is consumed all over the world in various dishes and ways to include in your diet. From fancy dinners to a low-fat diet, plan cabbage finds its place everywhere. With high energy and low solubility, the cabbage keeps your stomach full for longer, and you won’t feel the urge to consume more food. Some of the common ways in which the cabbage is consumed all over the world are:
SaladHave a plate of thinly cut leaves sprinkled with pepper and salt with vegetables, or you can also consume the leaves, making a vegetable roll in the leaves.
Kimchi
Kimchi is fermented cabbage and is a super popular and everyday table item in Korean cuisine. This is popular all over the world and is a kind of side dish or savory sauce dressing with any food.
Cabbage soup
Deliciously made vegetable soup with cabbage is not only very healthy and energy-boosting but also with this yummy broth; you can lose weight fast. Cabbage soup is famous all over the world and is served in restaurants, to patients, and in low-calorie diets.
Casserole
Cabbage leaves roll cooked in a casserole is a great and finger-licking dish to try. This is delicious plus quite filling.
Juice
Another efficient way to consume the nutrients and minerals of this rich in antioxidants vegetable is to drink its juice. If you are looking for something to boost your skin glow and texture or control your sugar level and blood pressure, then this juice is a miracle drink.
How can you eat cabbage leaves raw?
If you don’t like the aroma of cabbage when cooked like most people do and prefer to have it raw, then these are some quick ways by which you can eat cabbage leaves raw and enjoy.
- Just sprinkle some salt and a bit of lemon juice on shredded cabbage leaves and have it as a mid-morning or evening snack
- Make cabbage rolls with leaves and add any vegetables or sauce inside it
- You can add cabbage in your salads and over your food to have a crisp and refreshing bite.
- Raw cabbage leaves can also be used to make sandwiches with multi-grain bread and low-fat dressings.
How can you eat cabbage leaves cooked?
For cabbage-loving people and diet freaks, cabbage in the diet is quite instrumental. With proper digestion and antioxidants, the body detoxifies, and this miracle vegetable keeps the blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels in check so that you can lose weight fast and effectively without any fatigue as the cabbage minerals and vitamins will keep your charges all along. Apart from diets there are many delicious cabbage dishes to enjoy, some of them are:
Pasta
Vegetable pasta with lightly fried cabbage is simply delicious with a crisp and crunchy bite of cabbage along with the pasta.
Slow-cooked
Slow-cooked cabbage added to your burgers or rolls pump up the taste incredibly, and you must give it a try
Stir fry
Add cabbage to any stir fry and enhance the taste and nutrition of your meal.
Golumpki
This one is a traditional polish dish famous in all world. Beef or pork marinated with spices is wrapped up into cabbage leaves and then baked in the oven.
Reasons to eat cabbage.
Cabbage is one of the most consumed vegetables worldwide and is found in all seasons. Easy to grow and store, this vegetable serves as a great source of nutrition plus taste. Some of the main reasons for eating cabbage are as follows.
Cheaper and easily available
Cabbage is grown all over the world throughout the year. There is always cabbage season, and you don’t need to worry about eating off-season vegetables and their disadvantages. Not only this, they are available easily and are fairly cheaper than other vegetables. So if you are looking for a healthy and cheaper snack, then this is the one you should buy.
Versatility
From salads to fermented kimchi, roasted leaves to casserole cabbage can be made into many types of dishes, and it fits in all perfectly. Due to its versatility in use, cabbage is suitable for a good diet plan you can’t get bored off.
Long shelf life
Another great benefit of including cabbage in your grocery list is that it can be stored for a longer time. Unlike other vegetables, cabbage can last for weeks and, if stored properly, can go for as long as two months.
Great for health and fitness
Not only it gives you vitamins and minerals, but also cabbage has a huge role in reducing cholesterol, improve intestinal health, and aids a lot in weight loss. With antioxidants packed in cabbage, your skin will glow and gets free from all blemishes and pimples.
Health benefits of cabbage
Some of the key health benefits that eating cabbage implies are as follows:
Rich with vitamins:
Cabbage is packed with vitamins c and k and other minerals like iron and magnesium etc., that are necessary for a good immune system and body health.
Antioxidant:
The highly dense content of antioxidants in the cabbage aid cell growth and slows =down aging making you look younger and fresher.
Aids digestion:
Cabbage is rich in fiber and contains certain proteins that help digestion and better intestinal health.
Heart health:
With a good amount of potassium and fiber, cabbage is great for keeping your heart healthy and cholesterol level low.
Great for skin and weight loss:
Cabbage detoxifies the body, and vitamin c and beta-carotene content in it boosts the skin glow and texture, making it look healthy. Also, with fiber and cholesterol reduction, cabbage consumption is a great low-calorie diet and aids in quick weight loss.
Boost brain health:
Vitamin k in cabbage is good for a healthy brain and improves mental health and concentration.
Beneficial for bones and muscle aches:
A single cup of cabbage contains calcium equal to a glass of milk, and thus cabbage is great for stronger bones. Also, it boosts the healing process and reduces inflammation in the muscles reducing aches.
Protection from radiations and cancer:
Cabbage is known to contain minerals contents that prevent cancer and reduces the harmful effects of radiation.
Raw vs Cooked
Either you eat cabbage leaves raw or cooked; they have huge benefits to your health and brain. While raw consumption may cause a bit of flatulence or acidity due to the cruciferous nature of the vegetable, but the nutrients and vitamins are more in that.
In cooked cabbage, some of the minerals and vitamins die out due to heat, but they are easier to digest and cause less problem.
So you can eat cabbage leaves raw if you want a more vitamin-dense meal, but try to have it in the morning or afternoon. For later hours meal or better digestion cooked cabbage is preferable.
FAQS
Can cabbage cause stomach ache?
Not necessarily, but some people may face some stomach issues as it can cause gas, and it is advisable to be consumed in small portions.
Which time of the day is better to consume cabbage?
Morning or early noon is better for the consumption of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage as they are easier to digest at that time.
Which cabbage is most nutrient-packed
White cabbage is found to be the most nutrient-dense type of cabbage with high calcium and vitamin c content.
Final verdict
So wrapping it up! Cabbage is no doubt one of the most beneficial and vitamin-dense vegetables that offer great health benefits regarding heart health, sugar levels, and brain functioning. Including cabbage regularly in your diet in any form will impose long-term benefits to your life. Whether you like it raw or cooked as per your choice, the vegetable is a super booster to your diet.
You can eat cabbage leaves raw without any hesitation as they will be packed with antioxidants and vitamins, and in raw form, the vegetable is more beneficial for your health. However, try to burn it off or have some ginger along so that you may not face any gastric c trouble late.
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