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Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt

Vegetables Per 100 g · Per 100g serving
Data sources: 48 AFCD 48 SR Legacy

Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt is a vegetable at 54.5 calories per 100g. It is an excellent source of Vitamin K1, providing 418.5 µg (349% of the Daily Value) per 100g serving. This vegetable is rich in dietary fiber. Vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber with relatively few calories. They are a cornerstone of virtually every dietary guideline worldwide. Our database tracks 96 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, environmental footprint data.

54.5
Calories
kcal
2.9
Protein
g
1.2
Fat
g
5.3
Carbs
g
6.2
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

☀️
Vitamin K1
418 µg
349% DV
☀️
Vitamin C
39.0 mg
43% DV
☀️
Folate
164 µg
41% DV

Data for 96 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water AFCD82.7g—
2%
Calories AFCD54.5kcal——
Energy (kJ) SR183kj——
Protein SR2.9g—
5%
Total Fat SR1.2g——
Carbohydrate SR5.3g—
4%
Fiber AFCD6.2g—
16%
Total Sugars SR1.2g——
Starch AFCD0.40g——
Ash AFCD1.8g——
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium AFCD54.0mg—
5%
Iron AFCD3.2mg—
41%
Magnesium AFCD56.0mg—
14%
Phosphorus AFCD126mg—
18%
Potassium AFCD470mg—
14%
Sodium AFCD83.0mg—
6%
Zinc AFCD0.52mg—
5%
Copper AFCD0.24mg—
27%
Manganese AFCD0.88mg—
38%
Selenium AFCD2.2µg—
4%
Vitamins 36
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) AFCD189µg—
21%
Vitamin A (IU) SR146IU——
Retinol AFCD0µg——
Beta-Carotene AFCD1,134µg——
Alpha-Carotene SR10.0µg——
Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR26.0µg——
Lycopene SR0µg——
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR4,983µg——
Vitamin C AFCD39.0mg—
43%
Vitamin D SR0µg——
Vitamin D (IU) AFCD0IU——
Vitamin D2 AFCD0µg——
Vitamin D3 AFCD0µg——
Vitamin E AFCD0.80mg—
5%
Beta-Tocopherol AFCD0mg——
Gamma-Tocopherol AFCD0mg——
Delta-Tocopherol AFCD0mg——
Alpha-Tocotrienol SR0mg——
Beta-Tocotrienol SR0mg——
Gamma-Tocotrienol SR0mg——
Delta-Tocotrienol SR0mg——
Vitamin K1 SR418µg—
349%
Vitamin K1 (dihydro) SR0µg——
Vitamin K2 (MK-4) SR0µg——
Thiamin (B1) AFCD0.003mg—
0%
Riboflavin (B2) AFCD0.03mg—
2%
Niacin (B3) AFCD1.4mg—
9%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR0.17mg—
3%
Vitamin B6 AFCD0.01mg—
1%
Folate AFCD164µg—
41%
Folic Acid SR0µg——
Folate (food) AFCD164µg——
Folate (DFE) AFCD164µg——
Vitamin B12 AFCD0µg——
Choline SR0.40mg—
0%
Betaine SR0.30mg——
Fatty Acids 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat AFCD0.16g——
Monounsaturated Fat AFCD0.06g——
Polyunsaturated Fat AFCD0.42g——
Trans Fat AFCD0.003g——
Cholesterol AFCD0mg——
Omega-3 ALA AFCD0g——
Omega-3 EPA AFCD0.32g——
Omega-3 DPA AFCD0.004g——
Omega-3 DHA AFCD0g——
Individual Fatty Acids 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Butyric Acid (4:0) SR0g——
Caproic Acid (6:0) SR0g——
Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR0g——
Capric Acid (10:0) AFCD0.14g——
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0.006g——
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0.006g——
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.14g——
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.006g——
Linoleic Acid (18:2) AFCD0.01g—
0%
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.33g——
Amino Acids 18
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Tryptophan AFCD0.08g——
Threonine SR0.13g——
Isoleucine SR0.18g——
Leucine SR0.20g——
Lysine SR0.18g——
Methionine SR0.03g——
Cystine SR0.04g——
Phenylalanine SR0.15g——
Tyrosine SR0.10g——
Valine SR0.16g——
Arginine SR0.16g——
Histidine SR0.17g——
Alanine SR0.15g——
Aspartic Acid SR0.26g——
Glutamic Acid SR0.33g——
Glycine SR0.14g——
Proline SR0.17g——
Serine SR0.12g——
Other 3
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine AFCD0mg——
Theobromine SR0mg——
Alcohol AFCD0g——

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

255
NRF9.3 Score
Excellent · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

Nutrient Interactions in This Food

Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.

✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other

Vitamin C + Iron●●●

Vitamin C dramatically enhances non-heme iron absorption by reducing Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ in the gut. Adding 75 mg vitamin C to a meal can increase iron absorption 3–4 fold.

Hallberg et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1989

Dietary Fat + Vitamin A●●●

Vitamin A is fat-soluble and requires dietary fat for absorption. Adding fat to a meal significantly increases beta-carotene and retinol absorption.

Ribaya-Mercado et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 2007

Dietary Fat + Vitamin E●●●

Vitamin E is fat-soluble and absorbed alongside dietary fats via micelle formation in the small intestine. Low-fat diets reduce vitamin E absorption.

Traber, Free Radic Biol Med, 2007

Dietary Fat + Vitamin K●●●

Vitamin K is fat-soluble. Absorption increases significantly when consumed with dietary fat, particularly for phylloquinone (K1) from plant sources.

Gijsbers et al., Br J Nutr, 1996

Vitamin C + Vitamin E●●●

Vitamin C regenerates oxidised vitamin E (tocopheroxyl radical) back to its active form, extending its antioxidant function in cell membranes.

Niki, Free Radic Biol Med, 2014

⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete

Calcium vs Iron●●●

Calcium inhibits both heme and non-heme iron absorption when consumed in the same meal. The effect is dose-dependent, with significant inhibition at 300+ mg calcium.

Hallberg et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991

Calcium vs Magnesium●●●

Very high calcium intake can reduce magnesium absorption by competing for shared intestinal transport pathways. A calcium:magnesium ratio above 2.6:1 may impair magnesium status.

Rosanoff et al., Nutr Rev, 2012

Fiber vs Iron●●●

Phytates in high-fibre foods (whole grains, legumes) bind non-heme iron and reduce its bioavailability. Soaking, sprouting, and fermentation reduce phytate content.

Hurrell & Egli, Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2010

Potassium vs Sodium●●●

High potassium intake promotes renal sodium excretion and attenuates the blood pressure–raising effect of sodium. A higher K:Na ratio is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

Aburto et al., BMJ, 2013

Fiber vs Calcium●●●

Oxalates (in spinach, rhubarb) and phytates (in bran) can bind calcium, reducing absorption. However, the net effect of high-fibre diets on calcium status is modest.

Weaver et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1999

Amino Acid Profile

Essential amino acid composition compared to the WHO/FAO adult reference pattern. The Amino Acid Score indicates protein quality — 100 means all essential amino acid requirements are met.

105
Amino Acid Score
Complete
Met + Cys
Lowest Scoring
18
Amino Acids Tracked

✓ Complete protein — all essential amino acids meet or exceed WHO reference levels.

All Amino Acids (18)
Amino Acidg / 100gmg / g protein
Tryptophan0.0827.6
Threonine0.1344.6
Isoleucine0.1859.9
Leucine0.2069.7
Lysine0.1859.9
Methionine0.039.9
Cystine0.0413.3
Phenylalanine0.1551.0
Tyrosine0.1035.4
Valine0.1654.4
Arginine0.1655.4
Histidine0.1758.5
Alanine0.1550.3
Aspartic Acid0.2689.5
Glutamic Acid0.33112.9
Glycine0.1448.0
Proline0.1759.2
Serine0.1242.2

Fatty Acid Profile

Breakdown of fat types per 100g. A healthy fat profile favours unsaturated fats (mono + poly) and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.

0.16g
Saturated
0.06g
Monounsaturated
0.42g
Polyunsaturated
32.0:1
Omega-3 : Omega-6 Ratio
Omega-3 dominant — ideal range is 1:1 to 1:4
Omega Fatty Acids
EPA (20:5 n-3)0.32 g
DPA (22:5 n-3)0.004 g
Linoleic acid (18:2 n-6)0.01 g

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Leafy Greens” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
⚡Folate loses up to 45% when cooked from frozen. Stir-fried retains 85%.
⚡Vitamin C loses up to 42% when boiled (drained). Stir-fried retains 85%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Insulin Response

The Insulin Index (II) measures the actual insulin response to food on a scale where white bread = 100. Unlike the Glycemic Index (which only measures blood sugar), the II captures the full hormonal response — including the effect of protein and fat on insulin secretion. This is why high-protein foods like meat and dairy can have significant insulin scores despite having low or zero GI values.

27
Insulin Index
Low Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 27
0 Low ≤30 Mod ≤60 High ≤100 120
Macro Model ●●● Estimated from macronutrient composition (R²=0.49)

Source: Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Brassicas” category.

0.51
kg CO₂e / kg
Very Low Impact
0.55
m² land / kg
Land Use
119
L water / kg
Water Use
4.0
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions0.51 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use0.55 m² / kg
Water Use119 L / kg
Eutrophication5.4 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification4.0 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Vegetables

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Vegetables” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
China; mainland
310
2.
China
306
3.
Albania
258
4.
North Macedonia
221
5.
Guyana
209
6.
Kazakhstan
204
7.
Oman
192
8.
Uzbekistan
190
9.
Tajikistan
186
10.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
183

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+76%
1961: 38 kcal2023: 67 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt?

Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt contains 54.5 kcal per 100 grams, making it a low-calorie food. The energy comes from 2.9g of protein (22% of calories), 1.2g of fat (20%), and 5.3g of carbohydrates (39%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt is Vitamin K1, providing 418 µg per 100g (349% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Vitamin C (43% DV). Our database tracks 96 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt high in protein?

At 2.9g per 100 grams, Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt is not a significant source of protein. Pair with protein-rich foods like legumes, meat, fish, or dairy to meet daily protein needs.

How much fiber is in Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt?

Yes, Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt is rich in dietary fiber with 6.2g per 100 grams. The daily recommended intake is 25-38g, so a serving contributes meaningfully toward that goal. Dietary fiber supports digestive health and is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

What is the insulin index of Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt?

Kale, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt has a low insulin response (II: 27) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). This means it triggers relatively little insulin secretion, which may be relevant for those managing insulin sensitivity or following low-insulin dietary strategies. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.