Vegetables question?!
Vegetables question?
When I buy vegetables, I never get through them all by the date on the label
SO I started going down the fast food route and thats a shame cos my diet used to be so good and healthy
im trying to eat veggies again but i cant get through them. sometimes they seem ok after the date and im not sure if to eat them
then i read online that the fresh veggies lose their nutrients really really fast and that its a waste of time unless u use them right away?!
lastly how many veggies do u eat a day and how many should i aim for? i am thinking around 8 per day. i know it varies from day to day but just roughly. if i dont set goals and targets like that i slip into binging on junk.
4 weeks ago
So you're saying vegetable-wise don't worry about the date on the label and judge by how they feel?
I use frozen peas often - but other frozen vegetables really bug me, especially when you try and stirfry them and then end up with a pile of soggy mush. They are limited to certain things, like adding to a curry.
Answers:
4 weeks ago
So you're saying vegetable-wise don't worry about the date on the label and judge by how they feel?
I use frozen peas often - but other frozen vegetables really bug me, especially when you try and stirfry them and then end up with a pile of soggy mush. They are limited to certain things, like adding to a curry.
You should be having 5 portions of fruit and veg a day - but remember that things like pure fruit juice can contribute to this.
Maybe if you try to plan out your meals for the week and just buy what you need, then you will only buy enough? Or alternatively, just buy fewer vegetables in a week.
Also keep things like frozen peas, frozen sweetcorn and frozen greenbeans in the freezer - if they are frozen soon after being picked it helps keep the nutrients in them, and they also taste great!
I usually keep a stock of fresh veggies in my fridge (and some frozone ones in my freezer). I dont even look at a use by date - you can tell pretty easily if a vegetable is still ok to eat. It will go soft or withered when it is bad.
Stock up on the frozen vegies they have done tests and found them more healtier than fresh
That way you just use what you need No waste Or no going off
They reckon 5 portions of fresh fruit or veg a day - its a sort of mix and match lol
Frozen veg are just as nutrious as fresh - in fact frozen peas are better I believe - because they are frozen straight away.
Just make sure you do not over cook
You don't have to be a nutritionist to eat correctly. The U. S. government has prepared seven dietary guidelines for healthy eating that are easy to follow. The emphasis is on balance, variety, and moderation:
Eat a variety of foods.
Maintain desirable weight.
Avoid too much fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Eat foods with adequate starch and fiber.
Avoid too much sugar.
Avoid too much sodium.
If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.
The Food Guide Pyramid is issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help you plan a healthy diet. It divides foods into five major food groups:
Grains, consisting of breads, cereals, rice, and pasta
Vegetables
Fruits
Milk, yogurt, and cheeses
Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nuts.
The old rules still apply:
get enough exercise,
drink plenty of water,
don't consume too many calories,
be sure to eat your fruits and vegetables.
Snacking can actually help some people maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced, varied diet. If you're famished in the afternoon, a healthy snack is just the ticket. A valuable strategy for snacking is to use snacks to make up for any nutritional shortcomings in your meals. Compare your daily meals to the recommended foods on the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid; categories where your meals don't add up are where you can find your best snack options.
whole-grain and enriched breads and cereals (6-11 servings per day);
vegetables (3-5 servings per day);
fruits (2-4 servings per day);
milk, cheese, and yogurt (2-3 servings per day);
lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dried beans, and tofu (2-3 servings per day);
eat fats, oils, and sweets sparingly.
i try my best to eat some kind of vegetable with every meal... even breakfast... putting peppers and or something into an omelete..
don't over load though... you only need 2-3 servings a day
and if u buy fresh.. make sure u are eating them the day or the day after u buy them... or else they are pointless to eat..
steaming keeps nutrients inside.. along with flavor...
or just eat them raw..
good luck
I have the same problem - Now I just dont worry about it if I have to throw out half a head of lettuce- its still cheaper than fast foods. I also buy more frozen vegetables.
The new Canada Food Guide suggests 7-8 servings per day. (usually 1/2 cups per serving - except for lettuce like veggies)The USDA web site has a calculator where you put you age etc... and it tells you how many servings you should have. http://www.mypyramid.gov/
It also has a page that gives good tips on how to use vegetables: http://www.mypyramid.gov/pyramid/vegetab...