Health Benefits of Cauliflower For Moms To-Be & Kids

It is well known that vegetables are generally very beneficial for the functioning of our body. However, little do we know in detail the properties that these foods provide us.

Tightly packed bunch of florets connected to a thick core, surrounded with a few green leaves, cauliflower has a mild, slightly nutty yet a little sweet taste. Being a nutritional powerhouse, cauliflower has become one of the trendiest vegetables in the last decade. Let’s take a look at the nutritional profile of this versatile vegetable:

Nutritional Profile

100 grams of chopped cauliflower, either raw or cooked has:

• 89% of water content
• 100% daily recommended Vitamin C
• ¼ of your daily Vitamin K requirement
• 6% of your daily potassium need
• 2% of daily iron and calcium
• 3%+ of daily magnesium
• 0 grams of fat
• 30 milligrams of sodium
• 25 calories
• 2 grams of dietary fiber
• 5 grams of carbohydrates
• 2 grams of protein
• 2 grams of sugar

The Many Health Benefits of Cauliflower for Kids and Adults

Cauliflower is not just a yummy food. It is extremely beneficial for your body and mind growth. Also, it is known to treat various ailments. 

The vegetable contains a sulphur-rich compound known as ‘Sulforaphane’, which is found in almost all members of the cruciferous family, like cabbage, broccoli, bok choy and more. This compound helps neutralise toxins, calms inflammation in your body and provides strength to your DNA. It may also slow down growth of any tumour.

This food is also an excellent way to ingest dietary fibre, vital for effective digestion by helping the transit of food through the intestines.

Cauliflower is also a good ally of the brain, since it provides a significant amount of vitamin B, essential for the functioning and development of this vital organ.

The oxidation of our body, commonly known as “ageing”, can be counteracted to a good extent thanks to the different antioxidants and phytonutrients found in Cauliflower, which is loaded with vitamin C, beta-carotenes, and many other components that can help prevent the early onset of symptoms of ageing and deterioration of the body in general.

That’s not it! Cauliflower is an effective anti-inflammatory thanks to its components such as Omega-3 and vitamin K, which is very positive in cases of arthritis, chronic pain, among others.

And for our dear heart, this vegetable provides allicin, a component responsible for reducing the probability of strokes or other heart ailments. What more can we ask for? 

Well, cauliflower has its own popularity when it comes to consuming this nutritious food in infant food and during pregnancy, because of its high folate content.

Benefits of Consuming Cauliflower During Pregnancy

Due to its excellent folate content, cauliflower is a vegetable to take into account in the diet of pregnant women. This vitamin promotes cell growth and replication. Deficiency of this vitamin during the first weeks of pregnancy can lead to neural tube defects, such as spina bifida or anencephaly, in the baby.

The combination of folate and Vitamin C in this vegetable makes it a potent antioxidant that scavenges off free radicals in the bloodstream. It helps fight tiredness and body ache, which is one of the most common problems faced by pregnant women. 

Cauliflower is an easy source of iron which helps maintain ideal baby weight and avoid preterm labour. It also helps women with anaemia issues as the iron present in this vegetable is quite easily absorbable.

If you have been advised to maintain weight during pregnancy, cauliflower, being a low-calorie vegetable, can be your best buddy who can help you track your weight and prove all the required nutrients, at the same time.

You can keep your cholesterol level in a healthy position, avoid any central nervous system disorder for your child and help your baby build strong bones by consuming cauliflower during pregnancy. 

While the phosphorus present in this vegetable helps in proper growth of your baby, magnesium prevents your uterus from contracting prematurely. On the other hand zinc supports your immune system and helps wounds heal faster. Cauliflower also contains a good amount of selenium, which regulates thyroid and immune function.

Risks of Consuming Cauliflower During pregnancy

While cauliflower can be your ultimate aid to curb constipation to a certain extent, there are few risks attached to cauliflower consumption during pregnancy.

• Cauliflower is high in sulphur compounds which may add on to the development of gas in many people.
• Its acid reflux can induce heart burning sensations.
• Some people are allergic to cauliflower, which may cause facial and hand swelling, severe itching and even breathing difficulties.

The Tasty Way of Including Cauliflower in Your Diet

Cauliflower has its own sweet taste which makes it highly versatile. It can be combined with a variety of purees, rice dishes, soups, to add nutrition, taste and flavour to your daily boring food. Do not overcook, as the nutrients in the vegetable can be easily destroyed with over cooking.

• Slightly steamed or lightly fried crunchy chunks of cauliflower, with a salad dressing could be a great side dish during lunch or dinner times. Garlic butter tossed bread also tastes amazing with this salad.
• Steamed cauliflower puree is a tasty full nutrition packed addition to any gravy dish or a steak.
• Cauliflower stir-fry with fresh garden herbs can be a healthy way to combat the mid-afternoon munchies.
• And nothing can match the magic of cauliflower stuffed parathas with a curd dip. This is suitable for both lunch and dinner.

Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Cauliflower

Along with the flower head, stems and leaves are edible as well. 

1. Cauliflower can be found in multiple colours like purple, orange, green and yellow. Green cauliflower is also commonly termed as 'broccoflower.'
2. It requires a temperature as low as 15 Degree C and 6 hours of daily sunlight for its cultivation.

Cauliflower has so much in it to give you, that you can easily name it a SUPERFOOD!. Women who are pregnant and kids who need nutrition for proper growth can stay well-nourished and healthy with cauliflower consumption.