Celery Nutrition? Maybe More Than You Think
We normally don't think of celery nutrition in the same sense that we think of the nutritional value of many other vegetables, or many fruits for that matter. Part of the reason for this is no doubt the fact that we usually don't have a helping of celery at the dinner table as we would with beans, peas, corn or carrots. Celery is usually relegated to the fresh vegetable or vegetable and cheese tray, and when served, is often served with a filling of one kind or other, usually cheese. If we're keeping track of what foods provide to us in terms of daily nutritional requirements, celery nutrition is seldom given a second thought.
Celery, or Apium graveolers dulce, if you prefer the Latin name, originated in Sweden, where it was harvested in the wild, mainly in marshes and bogs. The plant was long used for its supposed medicinal values before finding its way into the kitchen. Somewhere along the way, perhaps during the early period in its cultivation, the bitterness of the wild celery plant was somehow tamed to the point where its value as a culinary item began to be appreciated. Even then, celery nutrition wasn't so much a consideration as was the plant's value in soups and broths. Although we eat primarily the stalks of the celery plant, the leaves can also be eaten. For many though, a stalk of celery filled with cream cheese (and a little paprika for an extra zing) is the primary way the plant is consumed.
A Very Nutritious Vegetable - That stalk of celery, with or without cream cheese, is high in nutrition, in spite of the fact that the vegetable is mostly water, about 95% to be exact. A good portion of what isn't water consists of dietary fiber and carbohydrates, with approximately 3% of a serving made up of carbohydrates and half that amount made up of dietary fiber. Another 1% of a serving consists of protein. Celery also contains some sugars and fats. The fiber in celery is very beneficial in keeping our digestive system functioning normally, and while a plentiful supply of Vitamin C helps strengthen our immune system. Celery is especially rich in Vitamin C. Celery is also a rich source of at least two B vitamins, niacin and riboflavin.
As far as minerals are concerned, celery provides meaningful amounts of iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorous. Celery is also known to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, both beneficial in treating various disorders as well as helping to keep the body healthy. A number of ailments can supposedly be treated in part by consuming celery, though documentation stating how much celery is useful in treating which disorder is to say the least, sketchy. That celery is good for certain ailments can't be denied, but this wonderful vegetable should probably be looked upon more as a preventive, and a vegetable that helps keep us in good health, than as a cure or a treatment. Celery juice, or celery juice combined with another vegetable juice, usually carrot juice, is often included in weight loss diets. This may make some sense as celery juice is well known as an appetite suppressant.
In the final analysis, celery is one of those vegetables we either like, dislike, or simply don't know a great deal about. Celery nutrition will probably remain in the backwater of nutritional knowledge, recommendations and guidelines, which may seem a shame. Still, many prefer their celery with a bit of cream cheese, or in soups as opposed to simply eating the raw stalk. Either way, it’s a nice source of fiber and vitamin C. If you have a vegetable garden, why not try growing a few stalks? It's an easy vegetable to grow, and you probably won't need more than a couple of plants to meet your needs.