When it comes to low-calorie snacks, celery is a classic choice. In fact, 1 oz of celery (without salt, drained, cooked, boiled) contains only 5 calories. Not only is celery low in calories, it's also packed with a number of important vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health.

In addition to being low in calories, celery is a good source of vitamin K and potassium, and it also contains small amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and calcium. One cup of chopped celery provides 37% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K, which is important for bone health and blood clotting. Additionally, celery is high in fiber, which can promote digestive health and help you feel fuller for longer periods of time.

If you're looking for a healthy and filling snack option, celery is an excellent choice. Not only is it low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, it's also easy to prepare and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as raw or cooked, in salads or soups, or as a dipper for hummus or other healthy spreads.

Calories in Celery

As previously mentioned, 1 oz of celery (without salt, drained, cooked, boiled) contains only 5 calories. This makes celery an excellent choice for those who are watching their calorie intake, as you can enjoy a large portion of celery without consuming too many calories.

Celery Nutrition Facts

Celery is not only low in calories, but it's also packed with a number of important vitamins and minerals. For example, one cup of chopped celery (101 g) contains:

• 16 calories
• 3.5 g carbohydrates
• 1.6 g fiber
• 0.7 g protein
• 0.2 g fat
• 37% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K
• 9% of the recommended daily intake of potassium
• 5% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A
• 4% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C
• 4% of the recommended daily intake of calcium
• 3% of the recommended daily intake of folate

Important Vitamins and Minerals in Celery

Celery is a great source of several important vitamins and minerals, including:

• Vitamin K: important for bone health and blood clotting
• Potassium: important for maintaining healthy blood pressure
• Vitamin A: an antioxidant that is important for eye health and immune function
• Vitamin C: an antioxidant that is important for immune function and collagen production
• Folate: important for DNA synthesis and cell division

Celery as a Low-Calorie Snack

If you're looking for a low-calorie snack option, celery is a great choice. You can enjoy a large portion of celery without consuming many calories, making it a great option for those who are trying to lose weight or watch their calorie intake. To make your celery snack even more satisfying, try pairing it with a healthy dip, such as hummus or Greek yogurt dip. This will not only add some flavor to your snack, but it will also provide a little extra protein and healthy fat to help keep you feeling full.

Health Benefits of Celery

In addition to being low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, celery also offers a number of health benefits. For example, celery is high in fiber, which can help promote digestive health and reduce the risk of constipation. Additionally, the flavonoids in celery have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the risk of chronic disease, such as heart disease and cancer.

Celery Recipes

If you're looking for ways to incorporate more celery into your diet, there are plenty of delicious recipes to try. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Celery sticks with almond butter
• Celery and apple slaw
• Cream of celery soup
• Baked celery fries
• Celery and tuna salad

How to Store Celery

To keep your celery fresh and crispy, it's important to store it properly. Here are some tips for storing celery:

• Keep celery wrapped in aluminum foil or in a zip-top bag to help retain its freshness
• Store celery in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator
• Do not wash celery before storing it, as moisture can cause it to spoil more quickly

Choosing and Preparing Fresh Celery

When selecting celery at the grocery store or farmer's market, look for stalks that are firm, straight, and free of bruises or discoloration. The leaves should be fresh and green. To prepare celery for eating, simply rinse it under cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel. Trim the ends and any brown spots, and then cut the celery into the desired size and shape.

Celery Juice for Health and Wellness

In recent years, celery juice has become a popular health trend. Proponents of celery juice claim that it can help with a variety of health issues, such as inflammation, digestive problems, and skin conditions. While there is limited scientific research on the health benefits of celery juice specifically, celery itself is a nutritious food that can contribute to a healthy diet. If you enjoy the taste of celery juice, there's no harm in incorporating it into your diet as part of a balanced and varied meal plan.

Celery Sticks for Weight Loss

If you're looking for a healthy snack to help with weight loss, celery sticks are a great option. As previously mentioned, celery is low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer periods of time. To make your celery sticks even more satisfying, try pairing them with a protein-rich dip, such as almond butter or hummus. This will not only add some flavor to your snack, but it will also help keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.