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Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt

Vegetables Per 100 g · Per 100g serving
Data sources: 41 Foundation 25 AFCD 33 SR Legacy
Also available: Cooked, Boiled

Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt is a vegetable, providing just 36.0 calories per 100g. It is an excellent source of Vitamin K1, providing 418.0 µg (348% 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 99 nutrients for this food, plus insulin index, environmental footprint data.

36.0
Calories
kcal
2.9
Protein
g
1.2
Fat
g
5.3
Carbs
g
6.1
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

☀️
Vitamin K1
418 µg
348% DV
💎
Manganese
0.54 mg
24% DV
☀️
Vitamin C
17.8 mg
20% DV

Data for 99 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 11
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water Foundation89.8g
2%
Calories Foundation36.0kcal
Energy (kJ) Foundation151kj
Protein Foundation2.9g
5%
Total Fat Foundation1.2g
Carbohydrate Foundation5.3g
4%
Fiber AFCD6.1g
16%
Total Sugars Foundation1.1g
Total Sugars SR1.2g
Starch AFCD3.7g
Ash Foundation0.73g
Minerals 11
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium Foundation150mg
15%
Iron Foundation0.84mg
10%
Magnesium Foundation25.0mg
6%
Phosphorus Foundation42.0mg
6%
Potassium Foundation144mg
4%
Sodium Foundation16.0mg
1%
Zinc Foundation0.27mg
2%
Copper Foundation0.07mg
7%
Manganese Foundation0.54mg
24%
Selenium AFCD0µg
Fluoride AFCD0µg
Vitamins 37
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) Foundation146µg
16%
Vitamin A (IU) SR146IU
Retinol AFCD0µg
Beta-Carotene Foundation1,730µg
Alpha-Carotene Foundation10.0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin Foundation26.0µg
Lycopene Foundation0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin Foundation4,980µg
Vitamin C Foundation17.8mg
20%
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) AFCD0IU
Vitamin D2 AFCD0µg
Vitamin D3 AFCD0µg
Vitamin E Foundation1.6mg
11%
Beta-Tocopherol Foundation0mg
Gamma-Tocopherol Foundation0.12mg
Delta-Tocopherol Foundation0mg
Alpha-Tocotrienol Foundation0mg
Beta-Tocotrienol Foundation0mg
Gamma-Tocotrienol Foundation0mg
Delta-Tocotrienol Foundation0mg
Vitamin K1 Foundation418µg
348%
Vitamin K1 (dihydro) Foundation0µg
Vitamin K2 (MK-4) Foundation0µg
Thiamin (B1) Foundation0.06mg
5%
Riboflavin (B2) Foundation0.14mg
11%
Niacin (B3) Foundation0.46mg
3%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) Foundation0.17mg
3%
Vitamin B6 Foundation0.06mg
5%
Biotin (B7) AFCD3.9µg
13%
Folate Foundation65.0µg
16%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) AFCD59.0µg
Folate (DFE) AFCD59.0µg
Vitamin B12 AFCD0µg
Choline SR0.50mg
0%
Betaine SR0.30mg
Fatty Acids 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat AFCD0g
Monounsaturated Fat AFCD0g
Polyunsaturated Fat AFCD0g
Trans Fat AFCD0g
Cholesterol AFCD0mg
Omega-3 ALA AFCD0g
Omega-3 EPA AFCD0g
Omega-3 DPA AFCD0g
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) SR0g
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) AFCD0g
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.34g
Amino Acids 18
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Tryptophan AFCD0.05g
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.

269
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

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

Manganese vs Iron●●

Manganese and iron share the DMT1 transporter and compete for absorption. High iron status reduces manganese absorption and vice versa.

Erikson et al., Pharmacol Ther, 2007

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
Tryptophan0.0517.7
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

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.

53
Insulin Index
Moderate Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 53
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, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt?

Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt contains 36.0 kcal per 100 grams, making it a low-calorie food. The energy comes from 2.9g of protein (33% of calories), 1.2g of fat (30%), and 5.3g of carbohydrates (59%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt is Vitamin K1, providing 418 µg per 100g (348% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Manganese (24% DV). Our database tracks 99 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt high in protein?

At 2.9g per 100 grams, Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without 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, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt?

Yes, Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt is rich in dietary fiber with 6.1g 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, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt?

Kale, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt has a moderate insulin response (II: 53) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). This is a typical insulin response for most mixed foods. 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.