Eating kale - yuck!

[Georgie_M]

I have dry AMD and my GP suggests I eat kale. I am not a fan of kale and I certainly can't stomach eating it every day. Anyone here have any ideas for kale recipes or alternatives to eating kale?

[Viv_H]

Hi

We have found under cooking is good and eating with other tastier veg helps.Don't know if this is correct but we don't eat the stalks.

[bendy1703 in reply to Viv_H]

I'd stomach any food if it was going to help......puree it and drink it quickly, in one.....xxxx

[andy1955 Macular Society]

Hello George,

If you don't like Kale or other green vegetables (Spinach is quite good as well), you could consider an 'AREDS2' vitamin supplement.

AREDS stands for 'age related eye disease study' (number 2) which was a large clinical trial carried out in the USA in order to find the ideal formula for a supplement for someone with dry AMD.

The macular society helpline can let you have a booklet on the subject, or you can view it on-line at the following link (I hope the link works);

macularsociety.org/sites/de...

We also have a small recipe book giving a few kale recipe ideas which we can post you.

You may also find it helpful to have a chat with our helpline 0300 30 30 111 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday) or email us at [e-mail] with your address details if you would like the nutrition booklet and the small Kale book posted to you.

Best wishes

Helpline

Macular Society

[Beldie]

Hello George

I'm sorry about your diagnosis and really sympathise with your anti-kale stance, which I used to share. But I've come to prepare it in a way that makes it much more pleasant: heat a wee drop of oil in a saucepan, add a bunch of chopped kale , stir and let it heat through. Add about a couple of tablespoons of tap water, give all a stir then put the lid on for a few minutes. Add a good splash of something you enjoy: sweet chili sauce, or soya sauce. Just don't overcook it. Alternatively, start with a bit of oil then add finely chopped chili and garlic and take it from there; I used to do it that way until laziness overtook me and I bought tubes of both garlic and chili. You could try adding a few pinenuts, or cashews. Just don't overcook the kale.  If you're making soup try adding a few shreds of kale if it seems appropriate. It's a plant that's easy to grow if you fancy trying it.

OR...you could take lutein tablets instead; it's the lutein in kale which is recommended.

All my life I've assiduously avoided eating my greens but I've devised ways of making it much more pleasant, e.g. adding anchovy paste to broccoli. I even make a tasty soup of brussels sprouts.

Best wishes to you.

[Kris73]

I make it into soup. I have a soup maker and put various veg in and lots of kale. 2 Knorr stock cubes and various dried herbs etc. I have a bowl at lunch followed by a sandwich . I eat it as a smooth soup and make a lot it one go and freeze individual amounts.

[cyprusbaby10]

Hi buy a nutri bullet food mixer ,loads on ebay .they are marvolous for kale with half a bannana and blueberrirs.Doesent matter what fruit  you put in you cannot taste the kale.They are worth it just to be able to eat kale everyday.hope you find this helpful do try it you wont be dissapointed paula

[Hidden]

Hi George, get yourself a juicer (we have the Ninja, their recipe book has a good smoothie for kale with fruit and also one with celery, kiwi &more - no kale taste at all. Plus a kale soup which is palatable). 

Probably lots of recipes on the web.

Enjoy!

[Georgie_M]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, glad to know that I'm not the only one who doesn't fancy kale. I will try out some of the kale preparations methods. Thanks also to The Macular Society for pointing out the AREDS2 vitamin supplement - I was speaking to my local pharmacist and it turns out his mum also has dry AMD and takes Vision Defender AMD which is an AREDS2 supplement. I will give this a go too!

[Georgie_M]

Hi Dottie2011

Yes, I rather eat eggs then kale as well! I'm taking an AREDS 2 supplement called Vision Defender AMD which has the lutein I need, and my AMD is stable, so will continue to take it - better than eating kale!