Calories in Steamed Broccoli

Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables where making pasta and salad without it would leave it incomplete without its deep flavored earthiness. It comes down from the cauliflower family line, being very resemblant to the vegetable but different in texture and color. There are different kinds of broccoli that are edible, but the most commonly used one is the thick stalk kind supporting the broccoli heads sprouting in collective bunches.

Some people consider the stalk to be edible, with a flavor of its own to offer a dish. The stalk is first peeled and then sliced, and is then either stir fried, boiled or steamed before being added to a dish. Broccoli is not only a great alternative to substitute other vegetables that your taste buds don't approve of, but contains within itself a lot of nutritional benefits that can help you maintain a system that is free from problems and ailments.

Broccoli Nutritional Information

The calories in steamed broccoli don't add up to much, and can be used quite generously when preparing a dish of your choice. Feel free to experiment with this vegetable, and try to use it as much as possible in salads and meals that go well with either steaming broccoli, boiling it or stir frying it to give it a different twist in taste.

It is approximately 31 calories for a cup of broccoli heads.

Broccoli Nutrition Chart
Nutrient Content	Steamed Broccoli (Calories= 31, Serving= 1 cup)
Carbohydrates	6g
Fat	0.34g
Protein	2.57g
Iron	3.89%
Iron	3%
Sodium	30mg
Sugar	1.53g
Vitamin C	132%
Potassium	286mg
Vitamin A	11%
Fiber	2.3g
Calcium	4%

Health Benefits of Steamed Broccoli

The broccoli nutrition facts should help you gauge how much of this vegetable you want to include in a meal. Let's move on to find out why eating this very wholesome vegetable proves to be quite healthy.

• Being a highly fibrous vegetable, it not only helps in digestion but prevents constipation as well.
• Immunity is given a major boost, because of an element abundant in broccoli called beta carotene which increases and strengthens the immunity system.
• Weight watchers can benefit from eating this fiber rich food since it can help eliminate the presence of belly fat, and considerably reduce it for those who have big bellies.
• Free radicals are destroyed upon contact from the antioxidant properties of broccoli that contain vitamin C.
• Regulates blood pressure due to the presence of calcium and magnesium.
• Good for those who have common colds.
• It can fight against cataracts and macular degeneration related to aging because of the presence of carotenoid lutein.
• Vitamin K and calcium are both known to strengthen the bones and prevent osteoporosis, which broccoli contains in high abundance.
• Helps prevents the onset of cancers and fights against carcinogens.
• Has detoxifying effects on the skin.
• Helps one maintain normal muscle growth.
• The presence of vitamin A in broccoli helps enhance the molecules that absorb light in the eye needed for colored and low light vision.
• Helps protect and maintain the brain's functions and the nervous system.
• Can help fight against strokes and heart disease.
• Helps repair the skin from damage caused by extensive exposure to the sun.

Broccoli is a versatile vegetable that goes well with any kind of dish, and can be cooked in so many different styles that spices and herbs can complement when infused with its already nice flavor. It may not be something that suits all taste preferences but is definitely something you can get used to over time. If you don't like eating it plain, you can always try using these in sauce based pastas to help it mesh with its plant like taste to make it more agreeable to your taste.