We all know that vegetables are healthy for us, there’s no doubt about it. They make our body stronger, and they taste great (most of them). However, there are still some myths related to this type of food that people tend to believe, yet, could not be further from the truth.
Let’s try to burst all the vegetable-related myths that most of the people harbor:
Are Fresh vegetables more nutritious than frozen ones?
Research has shown that frozen vegetables are just as healthy as the fresh ones, and in some cases, even healthier. This is because veggies start losing their nutrient value the moment they are picked, but if they are frozen right away, they stay preserved at their peak value.
This is also why it’s sometimes better to choose frozen veggies than fresh veggies that take a lot of time to get to the store. What is true, though, is that both options are better than canned vegetables.
Do Potatoes really make you fat?
Potatoes are very low in calories, and they are pretty much fat-free. They also contain plenty of potassium and fiber, which means that they can make you feel sated for longer and actually help you lose weight.
So, it’s not the veggie itself that makes you gain weight but rather the way you prepare it. Cooked potatoes will always be healthier than French fries, and potatoes seasoned with herbs are better than those seasoned with cheese or mayo.
Are vibrantly colored vegetables healthier?
Contrary to the popular belief that the more vibrantly colored a vegetable is, the healthier it is, that’s not always the case.
Of course, in many instances, that is true, but there are still more than a few exceptions. For example, white cabbage, as dull as it might look, is one of the most nutrient-packed veggies you could eat. Celery is also very healthy, even though it might look boring.
Kale slows down thyroid function?
If you have a thyroid condition, you’ve probably been told at least a few times to stop eating broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. Kale thyroid connection refers to the belief that those veggies can make your thyroid larger by limiting its iodine uptake, which could make your thyroid gland function even worse.
However, research has shown that the above-mentioned veggies cannot harm your thyroid unless you already suffer from an iodine deficiency. So, if you don’t have any iodine-related issues, feel free to enjoy your kale.
Is Organic always a better option?
In this day and age, we are all familiar with the choice between organic and conventionally-produced food. For veggies to be organic, they mustn’t be treated with any kind of pesticides, they must conserve biodiversity, and the producers must protect natural resources.
However, the truth is that pesticides are not that dangerous in small amounts. The health risks are very often exaggerated, and the levels we are usually exposed to are far too low to cause any serious damage. So, reducing that exposure even further by buying organic food does not really make that much of a difference.
Do Tomatoes come under the category of vegetables?
Last but not least, believe it or not, there are some “vegetables” that actually do not fall into that category. For instance, tomatoes and cucumbers are not really vegetables. They may not be sweet, but they are still fruits. More precisely, they fall into the berry category – a fruit that develops from a flower, with its seeds enclosed in a fleshy pulp. It still doesn’t mean you should start including them into your summer fruit cup, but knowing the botanical difference between a fruit and a veggie might come in handy some day.
If you want to stay strong and healthy, eating vegetables is a must. Still, don’t believe everything you hear about them, especially when you hear something bad. No vegetable is harmful on its own, regardless of how dull-colored, frozen, or non-organic it is.
So, feel free to enjoy them, and try to make your diet as veggie-diverse as you can.
Read Also: 6 Rare Fruits with amazing benefits, you probably didn’t know about.