Let's talk about vegetables. If I can't talk about my runs, then I want to talk about my next favorite thing. Vegetables. Man those things are awesome. (Fruits, your my favorite too. For your age group)
I LOVE it when people ask me questions. Cause I like to answer them! And it helps me find topics to write about. Randa asked on my face book page (make sure you give it a like!!)
Q-
Buying frozen veggies vs. Fresh. I know fresh is better but I hate being wasteful. I buy frozen in the steam bag. I make sure the ingredients say 'just peas' but is steaming in the bag OK?
A-
Let's first talk about absolutes, then we will talk about variances.
Things you do not want to do with vegetables-
Buy canned. I'm not saying I don't ever buy canned, but I avoid it to the absolute highest degree that I can. My pantry has like, one can in it. I think its a can of tuna actually. And if I am in a crazy bind and decide that I have to have beans for a meal and don't have any pre-made (ugh) then I'll pick up a can of organic boys. But when it comes to fruits and vegetables you never want to pick up a can. Its just TOO EASY to buy the product in another form there is no reason to pick up that can. Not only do the cans themselves have chemicals inside of them we shouldn't be ingesting, but the food is coated in a sugary or salty preservative that we shouldn't be ingesting either. Even if it says just juice.
Stick to the basics with fruits and veggies and get them in their purest form. If you buy frozen avoid anything that has a sauce, a rice, a sugar... any bell or a whistle, then you are also buying extra cost, calories and chemicals. This goes with fresh too. Try to avoid anything that is pre-sliced, pre-cut, pre-packaged... INCLUDING LETTUCE. Buy it in its wholest form, and do a little wash wash chop chop when you get home. Anything that has been prepared ahead of time not only costs more, but since the food has been broken down from its most natural state it has already started the decomposing process, so the company has added preservatives to it in order to give it a longer shelf life. We don't need any of that jazz.
If you are looking for absolute nutrition in a product:
Then you want to buy organic, fresh produce from as local of a source that you can. Grow it. If you don't want to grow it, buy from a farmer's market, or a local produce store or get involved with a CSA which not only builds community, but supports local business and is a great way to try fun new foods! But we are not all perfect, and grabbing things from the nearest Kroger is often just too easy!
Now lets talk about what you have a little leeway with.
Fresh vs. frozen.
As far as conventionally grown produce, I'm not convinced that fresh peas are going to be healthier then frozen peas if you are buy non organic Kroger vs. non organic Kroger. Companies claim that their products are frozen at the peak of freshness to retain nutrients. Sure, why not. I've never found them to look otherwise coming out of the bag. So if you are planning on COOKING the product, then I would say it is up to you weather or not you want them fresh or frozen.
I buy MOST of my produce fresh. I'll buy the heck out of some fruit when its on sale and save some for the week to eat, and freeze the rest of it to throw in a smoothie. One big reason I buy most of my produce fresh is because I like to eat it raw. Raw fruit and raw veggies. I make A LOT of salads, and it is super easy to chop up a bunch of fresh veggies throw them on some lettuce. You cant eat frozen produce raw. I mean, I guess YOU could, but I wouldn't.
COOKING PRODUCE
You have to cook the produce that is frozen and anytime you heat a vegetable up (or fruit??) you loose nutrients. Which again, is why I eat my stuff raw. Don't like the way it tastes? Throw it in a smoothie.
So what are the best cooking methods?
My number one cooking rule is
AVOID THE MICROWAVE.
There is nothing natural about zapping food in a microwave. It often tastes weird, it changes the chemical make up of the food, and drains it of most of its nutrients. And if you own a super old crappy microwave like mine, its not even quick.
Steaming is going to be your best bet when heating up frozen, or even fresh, veggies. Take a little pot with a lid, add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot about 1/4 an inch, throw veggies in and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and reduce heat just till the water stays at a light boil. Cook till desired tenderness. Drain and add any spices.
Sauteeing is a good method too and can be done with frozen or fresh. A little bit of EVOO and cook cook cook. Lightly cooking your veggies this way retains a lot of nutrients and can be a great way to cook a meal since you can add whatever else your pairing with it in the pot.
Boiling is pretty much a sole crusher for the veggie. The only thing I boil is eggs and pasta. I honestly can't think of anything else I would boil. It heats the veggies so high and then all the nutrients will seep out into the water. Then when you drain the water you drain the nutrients. Why eat the veggies is your not reaping the crazy benefits of their magical powers!
You can also roast veggies. But I never do this. I don't know why. Looks appealing, but roasting veggies to me means it is going to be served as a side dish, and I guess I don't serve sides of veggies often. They usually ARE the meal.
And above all else, watch what you pair them with. A pinch of salt, and any seasonings you wish are the only things that should top your veggies. Possibly some cheese on the right dish. Never serve with ranch, or heavy cheeses or anything else that masks the taste, especially with children. Cooking a vegetable the proper way can make it just as enjoyable for your child as serving it with a big pile of ranch, and it will help your childs pallet become accustom to the taste of the food in its natural state.
One of the issues we have as a population is we are not accustomed to how food tastes in its natural forms, so our taste buds reject it unless it is covered in salt, fat, or sugar.
Nothing is more beautiful then a properly cooked vegetable... yummm....
Fresh vs. frozen.
As far as conventionally grown produce, I'm not convinced that fresh peas are going to be healthier then frozen peas if you are buy non organic Kroger vs. non organic Kroger. Companies claim that their products are frozen at the peak of freshness to retain nutrients. Sure, why not. I've never found them to look otherwise coming out of the bag. So if you are planning on COOKING the product, then I would say it is up to you weather or not you want them fresh or frozen.
I buy MOST of my produce fresh. I'll buy the heck out of some fruit when its on sale and save some for the week to eat, and freeze the rest of it to throw in a smoothie. One big reason I buy most of my produce fresh is because I like to eat it raw. Raw fruit and raw veggies. I make A LOT of salads, and it is super easy to chop up a bunch of fresh veggies throw them on some lettuce. You cant eat frozen produce raw. I mean, I guess YOU could, but I wouldn't.
COOKING PRODUCE
You have to cook the produce that is frozen and anytime you heat a vegetable up (or fruit??) you loose nutrients. Which again, is why I eat my stuff raw. Don't like the way it tastes? Throw it in a smoothie.
So what are the best cooking methods?
My number one cooking rule is
AVOID THE MICROWAVE.
There is nothing natural about zapping food in a microwave. It often tastes weird, it changes the chemical make up of the food, and drains it of most of its nutrients. And if you own a super old crappy microwave like mine, its not even quick.
Steaming is going to be your best bet when heating up frozen, or even fresh, veggies. Take a little pot with a lid, add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pot about 1/4 an inch, throw veggies in and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and reduce heat just till the water stays at a light boil. Cook till desired tenderness. Drain and add any spices.
Sauteeing is a good method too and can be done with frozen or fresh. A little bit of EVOO and cook cook cook. Lightly cooking your veggies this way retains a lot of nutrients and can be a great way to cook a meal since you can add whatever else your pairing with it in the pot.
Boiling is pretty much a sole crusher for the veggie. The only thing I boil is eggs and pasta. I honestly can't think of anything else I would boil. It heats the veggies so high and then all the nutrients will seep out into the water. Then when you drain the water you drain the nutrients. Why eat the veggies is your not reaping the crazy benefits of their magical powers!
You can also roast veggies. But I never do this. I don't know why. Looks appealing, but roasting veggies to me means it is going to be served as a side dish, and I guess I don't serve sides of veggies often. They usually ARE the meal.
And above all else, watch what you pair them with. A pinch of salt, and any seasonings you wish are the only things that should top your veggies. Possibly some cheese on the right dish. Never serve with ranch, or heavy cheeses or anything else that masks the taste, especially with children. Cooking a vegetable the proper way can make it just as enjoyable for your child as serving it with a big pile of ranch, and it will help your childs pallet become accustom to the taste of the food in its natural state.
One of the issues we have as a population is we are not accustomed to how food tastes in its natural forms, so our taste buds reject it unless it is covered in salt, fat, or sugar.
Nothing is more beautiful then a properly cooked vegetable... yummm....
What is your favorite vegetable/way to cook and serve vegetables?
What do you find is the biggest challenge with eating whole produce?
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