You would be surprised to know that Korean food is everywhere you go, and you might wonder how kimchi calories and all other Korean dishes affect our diet and nutrition. If you visit a local Korean restaurant, kimchi is something that you will likely see on the restaurant’s menu right away. It is packed with beneficial nutrients and not to mention its delicious flavor and taste. Americans and people around the globe are fond of eating out and trying new stuff, and with the rise of Korean culture, music, and fashion, Korean food is also running as a candidate for boom and bigger industry.
According to recent research, Korean food is one of the most popular cuisines around the world, and around 45.1 percent of those who took part in the survey and research said that Korean food and delicacies are popular in their respective countries. Where did it come from and why the sudden rise of popularity in Western and even European countries? You can find out more about this food dish, health, and nutritional benefits as well as the kimchi calories when you scroll down below. When you eat something so much, you would also like to know its origin and benefits, right?
Kimchi: And All There Is To Know
We have always mentioned Kimchi when we started this above and to kick things off, here’s an exact definition of what it is. It’s a fermented cabbage that has spicy ingredients made suited for most Korean cuisine. Although it’s mostly made from vegetables, time and preferences have now evolved. Kimchi is now prepared by using other vegetables such as pumpkin and cucumber. It is also very rich in probiotics, which is an agent for the overall health of the gut, digestion, and even inflammation and swelling.
Fermented foods such as kimchi have risen in popularity in the US over the last decade. According to restaurant owners, menus have taken up at least 49% for the availability of fermented foods. It’s a 149% increase in fermented products over the last 5 years and it has been a new trend ever since. What’s unique about it is that it has a unique taste and kick because it has a paste made from red pepper, chili powder, sugar, garlic, and ginger, and a tang of fish sauce. We are most familiar with the common version made from Napa cabbage but there are a lot of varieties to choose from in this classic side dish. This is the main reason why it became so popular around the globe.
The good thing about kimchi is that it can be found anywhere in Korea and in almost every country in the world. Although in Korea, every region has their take on how to make the fermented kimchi dish. One thing to also consider when it comes to this dish is that kimchi calories are also obtained from this product. Of course, health benefits could also be reaped from this as it’s mostly herbs and vegetables. Now, what’s there not to love about this Korean side dish, right?
Kimchi Calories and How to make it at Home
One thing you should know is that kimchi calories are low in carbohydrates and it is also a low-fat food. It is a side dish so it’s rare that you eat it by itself so to make sure that you keep the low-calorie content, choose dishes and soups that are also low fat to go with it.
Kimchi Nutrition Facts for Every 100g Serving:
- Calories- 15%
- Total Fat- 1% (0.5 grams)
- Total Carbohydrate- 1% (2.4 grams)
- Sodium- 22% (498 milligrams)
- Protein- 2% (1.1 gram)
- Dietary Fiber- 6% (1.6 grams)
- Calcium- 3% (33 milligrams)
- Potassium- 3% (151 milligrams)
- Iron- 14% (2.50 milligrams)
This is because it is a vegetable food. Although it does contain dietary fiber in your 100 grams kimchi dish. The dietary fiber you should take should be at least 14 grams in the recommended 2000 per day calorie intake so the 7% percent kimchi calories would be coming from the side dish if you eat it regularly.
To make sure that there are no additives used when purchased at the store or restaurants, you can also make your kimchi in four easy steps.
Brine
Chop cabbage in cubed inches and then for at least 6 to 24 hours, soak it in a salted bath. Stir it a few times during the process to make sure that cabbages are all evenly brined. When the salt is absorbed, it allows the deep flavor and makes room for the seasoning to be absorbed properly.
Paste
Its uniqueness comes from the taste and flavor kimchi brings. Ingredients to make your personalized paste are Korean chili paste, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, and just a bit of sugar. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend it until it becomes a paste in texture.
Combine
After bringing the cabbage, rinse it using cold water and take out the liquid as much as you can. Once done, combine the paste in the cabbages and make sure it’s coated evenly. You can do the taste testing at this point so that you can adjust the levels of spiciness and other factors to consider depending on your liking.
Ferment
Using a pot with a lid, put the mixed kimchi back and add a few teaspoons of the brining solution and then press the kimchi down to make room for the others. You can put the lids but do not tight lock it so that there is airflow. Leave it for 2-3 days and then you’re good to eat it right after. Put it in your refrigerator for future use.
Health Benefits and Risks
Since the process of bringing contains a lot of salt content, sodium is high for this fermented dish. It has a sodium content of 670 milligrams in a 100-gram serving. Kimchi calories are not that high, but the sodium content is something that you should observe. The daily limit of sodium intake is at 2,300 milligrams in a day but since we usually consume at least 1,500 milligrams in almost all the meals of the day, it makes less room for kimchi consumption. Log in to your food intake so that you can keep track of it.
On the plus side, it contains health benefits and nutrients in the body. It is rich in Vitamin A which is good for the heart. Vitamin A is a natural antioxidant and fights free radicals in the body which causes cancer and age-related diseases. It also has gut-friendly contents that act as probiotics. It means that for any digestion and bowel movement problems, this is the best choice for you. Apart from that, it also boasts its high content of vitamin C, which is important for the health of the immune system. It allows the production of collagen and proteins which are responsible for skin elasticity and health of the tendons, blood vessels, and ligaments.
Kimchi is considered a way of life and tradition in Korea.
It has been handed down from one generation to another and it’s being appreciated around the globe today. You can find it in local restaurants in the US and almost every country in the world and kimchi calories depend solely on how it’s made and the additives included in the base preparation of the traditional kimchi.
