Chard

Health Benefits:

Aids in digestion
Aids in weight loss
Improves hair skin and nails
May reduce risk of cancer
May reduce risk of heart disease

Nutrition:

Serving size: 1 leaf; Calories: 9; Fat: .1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 102mg; Carbs: 1.8g; Fiber: .8g; Sugars: .5g; Protein: .9g; Potassium: 5%DV; Vitamin A: 58%DV; Vitamin C: 24%DV; Calcium: 2%DV; Iron: 4%DV

Did You Know?

• There is very little research on the health benefits of chard, but it is known that the vegetable is very rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, K, and E, as well as minerals like manganese and zinc.
• Chard originated in the Mediterranean, but is cultivated extensively in Switzerland, which is why it's typically referred to as Swiss chard.
• Chard is in the same family as the beet.

Ways to Eat:

• Boiled
• Braised
• Steamed
• Sautéed

Farming Trivia:

• Chard has been around for centuries, but because of its similarity to beets, it's hard to trace its exact evolution.
• Chard is not native to the North America - it is actually domesticated from a wild species in the eastern Mediterranean.