Kale is a leafy green vegetable rich in calcium. Calcium in one of the compounds that helps promote better sleep. Studies have shown that sleeping fewer than eight hours can raise the risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
According to the Cleveland Clinic serotonin, B6, B12 and folic acid help calm the body and promote sleep. Trytophan, melatonin, calcium and magnesium are compounds that are found in foods to help promote sleep also.
So if you’re craving a late night snack, but don’t want to mess up your sleep pattern with a sugary fix, try Kale Chips. Below is a recipe for Kale Chips that takes about 25 minutes to make. Enjoy!
Makes: 4 servings, about 2 cups
Active Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1 large bunch kale, tough stems removed, leaves torn into pieces (about 16 cups; see Note)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
PREPARATION
- Position racks in upper third and center of oven; preheat to 400°F.
- If kale is wet, very thoroughly pat dry with a clean kitchen towel; transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle the kale with oil and sprinkle with salt. Using your hands, massage the oil and salt onto the kale leaves to evenly coat. Fill 2 large rimmed baking sheets with a layer of kale, making sure the leaves don’t overlap. (If the kale won’t all fit, make the chips in batches.)
- Bake until most leaves are crisp, switching the pans back to front and top to bottom halfway through, 8 to 12 minutes total. (If baking a batch on just one sheet, start checking after 8 minutes to prevent burning.)
NUTRITION
Per serving: 110 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 16 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 5 g protein; 6 g fiber; 210 mg sodium; 642 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (767% daily value), Vitamin C (192% dv), Calcium (20% dv), Potassium (18% dv).
Carbohydrate Servings: 1/2
Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 fat