Vegetables you might as well skip, according to this article
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val_140
Posts: 75
I love all three of these vegetables.. I don't plan to stop eating them!!
Amy Paturel, SELF magazine
We're not here to demonize any form of produce. After all, every veggie has at least some nutritional value -- and we all need to include more vegetables in our diets, not less!
But if you're wondering whether to use iceberg or romaine in your signature summer salad, you may want to check out our list of the veggies with the least nutritional value:
1. Celery: Sure, you can nosh on 8 inches of celery for only 6 calories, but are you really getting any nutrients in return? The answer: Yes, but you'd have to go beyond an 8-inch stalk, which provides a mere 1.6 percent of our daily requirement for calcium and 2 percent of our daily requirement for vitamin C. It does, however, boast a decent amount of fiber and vitamin K. A better alternative: Carrots, which are loaded with eye-protecting beta carotene. Toss them into salads for a low-calorie crunch; braise them as a sweet summer side dish or slice them thin and add them to your favorite stir-fry.
2. Cucumbers: The cucumber is another low-calorie veggie. One cup of sliced cucumber weighs in at only 16 calories. But it's slim on nutrients, too. In fact, cucumbers contain 5 percent or less of our daily requirement for potassium, manganese, magnesium and vitamin C. On the plus side, cucumber extracts (not the whole cucumber) do have a number of disease-fighting antioxidant compounds, like tannins and flavonoids, says Registered Dietitian and Chef Consultant Michelle Dudash. A better alternative: Purslane, a peppery herb that's high in heart-healthy alpha linolenic acid (a type of omega-3). It's also higher in beta carotene than spinach. Toss it in salads, fold it into omelets or use it as a crunchy green on sandwiches.
3. Iceberg Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce is one of the most commonly consumed vegetables in the U.S., along with potatoes (as French fries) and tomatoes, but that doesn't mean it's the healthiest option. While iceberg is low in calories and offers some vitamins and fiber, other dark leafy greens contain much more vitamin A and C. A better alternative: Romaine lettuce, which offers much more beta carotene than iceberg. Use romaine in a traditional wedge salad with blue cheese crumbles, diced tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette, or layer it on turkey sandwiches.
Link:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/the-3-veggies-with-the-least-nutritional-value-2510765/
Amy Paturel, SELF magazine
We're not here to demonize any form of produce. After all, every veggie has at least some nutritional value -- and we all need to include more vegetables in our diets, not less!
But if you're wondering whether to use iceberg or romaine in your signature summer salad, you may want to check out our list of the veggies with the least nutritional value:
1. Celery: Sure, you can nosh on 8 inches of celery for only 6 calories, but are you really getting any nutrients in return? The answer: Yes, but you'd have to go beyond an 8-inch stalk, which provides a mere 1.6 percent of our daily requirement for calcium and 2 percent of our daily requirement for vitamin C. It does, however, boast a decent amount of fiber and vitamin K. A better alternative: Carrots, which are loaded with eye-protecting beta carotene. Toss them into salads for a low-calorie crunch; braise them as a sweet summer side dish or slice them thin and add them to your favorite stir-fry.
2. Cucumbers: The cucumber is another low-calorie veggie. One cup of sliced cucumber weighs in at only 16 calories. But it's slim on nutrients, too. In fact, cucumbers contain 5 percent or less of our daily requirement for potassium, manganese, magnesium and vitamin C. On the plus side, cucumber extracts (not the whole cucumber) do have a number of disease-fighting antioxidant compounds, like tannins and flavonoids, says Registered Dietitian and Chef Consultant Michelle Dudash. A better alternative: Purslane, a peppery herb that's high in heart-healthy alpha linolenic acid (a type of omega-3). It's also higher in beta carotene than spinach. Toss it in salads, fold it into omelets or use it as a crunchy green on sandwiches.
3. Iceberg Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce is one of the most commonly consumed vegetables in the U.S., along with potatoes (as French fries) and tomatoes, but that doesn't mean it's the healthiest option. While iceberg is low in calories and offers some vitamins and fiber, other dark leafy greens contain much more vitamin A and C. A better alternative: Romaine lettuce, which offers much more beta carotene than iceberg. Use romaine in a traditional wedge salad with blue cheese crumbles, diced tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette, or layer it on turkey sandwiches.
Link:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/the-3-veggies-with-the-least-nutritional-value-2510765/
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Replies
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Yeah, I use all of those as fillers.
If I'm making a salad at home, I use Baby Spinach as it is SO much better for you.0 -
Well all three are very good for filling that empty hole we call a stomach
. I enjoy them all! 0 -
I don't understand why anyone uses iceberg lettuce with so many tastier, more nutritious greens around. But celery and cucumbers certainly have their place, even if just to provide crunch
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I eat cucumbers as snacks all the time.. Better than eating fries for a snack..I was told about the iceberg lettuce from a friend so on occasions I use romaine or spinach instead. Or at Subway I ask for half and half.0
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Definitely agree with iceberg. It has to be one of the few things that is nutritionally crap, and tastes like crap.0
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I love fresh spinach. Whenever I go to Subway, I always opt for spinach on my sub instead of iceburg lettuce.0
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I don't understand why anyone uses iceberg lettuce with so many tastier, more nutritious greens around. But celery and cucumbers certainly have their place, even if just to provide crunch
To me, it's still the best tasting in a taco salad. I eat mixed baby greens/spinach/butter lettuce otherwise.0 -
I think all these can have a place in your diet. For people who like to snack, need the "oral' fix, or the crunching, celery is waay better than carrots, which are higher in sugar. Plus, in my own reading about healthy diet, I keep hearing over and over how much fiber we need and how Americans, at least, don't usually get enough of it. Let's also remember that all three of those veggies have a lot of water, which is always good for your body! Thanks for posting this. It's an interesting concept, and will probably generate some good discussion/opinions.0
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I dislike all three....so yay for me! One more excuse not to eat them! Sweet! :-)0
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I dislike all three....so yay for me! One more excuse not to eat them! Sweet! :-)
LOL. That's one way to look at it..0 -
I started my "lifestyle" with Iceberg lettuce because that is all I knew. My friend told me how unutritional it is and I have attempted to make the shift. For now I am at half and half and still have to have iceberg.. Maybe one day I will make the leap.
BUT I LOVE MY CUCUMBERS AND WILL NOT COMPROMISE : )0 -
yes!! I always wondered what was the point in celery!!!0
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I have recently discovered purslane and been eating it by the cupful! Apparently it is considered a weed, not sure if it is popular in the US?0
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I eat the hell outta some celery. And cucumbers too. But I use them as TV munchie food. Much better for ya that chips or snack cakes or whatever. One of the reasons I like them is because they are so lowcal. When I'm watching America's Got Talent at 9pm, I don't need to be eating calories, but I do like to munch on something. Celery saves the day!
However, I'm really not a fan of iceberg. It has a place on tacos, but that's about it. Romaine or spinach all the way!0 -
Celery does nothing for me
I grow cucumbers and peeled can mow down one in no time flat, but I make some banging hot pickles so . . . yum
I don't eat ice berg very often, and never as the lettuce in my salad, I like to add it for crunch because I don't put any croutons, noodles, or nuts on my salad but i like the mixed texture.0 -
yes!! I always wondered what was the point in celery!!!
It's great for holding my almond butter!0 -
I LOVE cucumbers and don't plan to stop eating them. 0
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I am not keen on celeray or Icebierg but I love cucumber - I eat at least half of one every day LOL!0
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They are good providers of water. Not everything has to have a vitamin pill in it to be healthy. And they are FAR better than their junky counterparts.0
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Beat me to it but I use peanut butter. I also use some shredded iceburg for texture with my spinach salads, and cucumbers are just good (sprinkled with a little salt and pepper).yes!! I always wondered what was the point in celery!!!
It's great for holding my almond butter!0
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