Collard greens are a green, leafy vegetable that is a part of the "greens" family. There are several varieties, with collards being the most distinct due to their large, wide leaves. Collard greens have become a part of many Southern-influenced menus and can also be cooked at home. Greens are a nice alternative as a green vegetable for your meals at home but you should still be aware of their nutritional value and health benefits.
Low in Calories
The recommended serving size for cooked collard greens is 1/2 cup. There are 50 calories in a 1 cup serving of cooked collard greens -- a small amount of calories. Given an average caloric intake of 2,000 calories per day, this amount is not significant enough to have a negative effect on your diet.
Source of Protein
Consume protein every day as a part of your diet, because it provides your body with an energy source and keeps muscles healthy. MayoClinic.com recommends consuming between 50 and 175 g of protein daily. This protein should come from a combination of animal and plant-based proteins and you should choose proteins that are low in fat. One serving of cooked collard greens contains 3 g of protein, which is a beneficial protein source.
Source of Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber is important to support a healthy digestive system and reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. MayoClinic.com recommends that women consume between 22 and 28 g of protein on a daily basis, and that men should consume between 28 and 34 g each day. One serving of cooked collard greens has 3 g of dietary fiber, which contributes to this amount.
Source of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a vitamin that is essential to vision, reproduction and cell development health. According to the National Institutes of Health, men should consume 3,000 IU of vitamin A and women should consume 2,310 IU of vitamin A. One serving of cooked collard greens contains 45 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin A.
Source of Vitamin C
A healthy immune system is supported by the regular consumption of vitamin C as an antioxidant. The daily recommended intake for vitamin C for women is 75 mg and 90 mg for men. One serving of cooked collard greens has 50 percent of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C.
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