Healthiest Veggies

[highway29south]

Originally Posted by plaidmom

When I want a lot of bang for my nutritional buck, I tend to think dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, collards, broccoli ).

I also like things with a lot of bright, rich color: beets, red peppers, winter squash/pumpkin, sweet potato.

As a vegetarian, beans and legumes are hugely important. Edamame are a great source of fiber and protein for example.

And of course, don't forget the garlic.

You sound like me! Last night for dinner, we had homemade greens and baked sweet potatoes as side dishes. Yummy and good for you!

[yhwhshalomjr]

For me;
always fresh garlic and green onions, tomatoes, spinach broccoli
all are full of antioxidants and other good stuff, and taste good too

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by LittleDolphin

AND THE WINNER IS...THE ENVELOPE PLEASE...

Sweet Potato Ranks Number One In Nutrition
.

Obviously, the supermarkets have heard the news. They're 98c a pound today.

[malfunction]

For me, it's always been anything green, raw or cooked. I've always eaten cool salads, but there's something to be said about cooked spinach or other greens. The nutritional benefit is my constant motivation.

[cr1039]

Originally Posted by Autumn07

All vegetables and fruits are healthy and good for you especially when you don't add seasonings, sauces and dressings. But I think your green vegetables hold a little more nutrional value.

Not always the case:

Fresh ground pepper
parsley
basil
lemon
olive oil

[Gypsyrhydyr]

For health nutrient packed veggies, the rule of thumb is color...the denser, darker, and/or brighter the color, the better for you. Dark green (kale, spinach) vs. light green (celery, iceberg lettuce). Orange (yam, sweet tater) vs white (regular white spuds).
But the real answer to "what is the healthiest veggie?" is tied to what you will/won't eat. If ya eat it, it's healthy. If ya won't eat it or don't like it...what does it matter?

[el borracho]

Asparagus

[LittleDolphin]

The question posed was for the 'healthiest' vegetable and one has to take a look at how the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) compiled the factors they used for ranking the sweet potato at the top in the 'healthiest' category--Points were given for content of dietary fiber, naturally occurring sugars and complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. Points were deducted for fat content (especially saturated fat), sodium, cholesterol, added refined sugars and caffeine. The higher the score, the more nutritious the food.

I think garlic, onions and peppers likely rank high for certain nutrients, but CSPI was including ALL vitamins, minerals and fiber in their tally.