Baby bok choy, also known as pak choi, is an immature version of bok choy, which is a type of Chinese cabbage. Mature bok choy has crunchy white stems and softer dark green leaves, while baby bok choy has light green stems and leaves. It is typically not as sweet as mature bok choy.
Uses
You can cook baby bok choy can be cooked in a variety of ways. Both the stems and leaves are edible. They are often used in stir fries and also make a great addition to soups and stews. You can also boil, steam or sauté baby bok choy alone for use as a side dish. It is best to wash bok choy before use, as there is often dirt on the stems.
Calories
One cup of shredded baby bok choy contains 9 calories, which come from carbohydrates, protein and a very small amount of fat. Each cup contains 1.5 g of carbohydrates. Of these carbohydrates, .8 g is sugar and .7 g is fiber. This provides 4 percent of the daily value for women and 3 percent for men. Each cup of baby bok choy also contains 1 g of protein, which provides 2 percent of the daily value. Each cup of baby bok choy contains only .1 g of fat.
Minerals
Although baby bok choy is not particularly high in any one mineral, it contains small amounts of numerous of these essential nutrients. One cup contains 7 percent of the daily value for calcium, which is essential for strong bones. One cup of bok choy also provides 3 percent of the daily value for phosphorus and magnesium and 5 percent for manganese. Additionally, one cup of bok choy provides 7 percent of the daily value for iron for men and 3 percent for women.
Vitamins
One cup of bok choy contains 31.5 g of vitamin C, which provides 42 percent of the daily value for women and 35 percent for men. Vitamin C is important for collagen formation and the absorption of iron. One cup of baby bok choy also supplies 12 percent of the daily value for folate, a water-soluble B vitamin important for cell formation. Folate is especially important for the prevention of anemia in pregnant women. Additionally, one cup of bok choy also supplies 22 percent of the daily value for vitamin A for women and 17 percent for men, as well as more than 25 percent for vitamin K for both groups. Vitamin A is important for healthy eyes and vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting.
Member Comments