Should You Buy Pre-Cut Vegetables?
By Lisa Shanken
April 15, 2010
The recession has led a lot of people to reflect about what's important in life, like more time with the family, the benefits of a steady job, time spent on improving oneself. Somehow amongst all the hullaballoo, cutting one's vegetables can take a backseat.
If you have the time and the inclination, you should definitely cut your own vegetables. But if you're the family cook and eking out the living at the same time, buying pre-cut vegetables can take the chore out of sluggishly scraping carrots and dicing potatoes.
The average family doesn't eat out as often as before, but it's actually a bonus as we can now introduce more nutritious fare to our families. If you crunch the numbers, you'll find out that fast food causes you more harm in the long run, as it's detrimental to your health and can cause you to run up hospital bills in the future.
Types of Pre-Cut Vegetables
Canned vegetables are the worst variety, nutritionally, but they are far better than no vegetables at all. The second best kind are frozen vegetables, which contain a lot of the original nutritional value, and can be used anytime. Finally, the best kind are the fresh pre-cut vegetables. The use of "smart packaging" extends its fridge life and slows the loss of nutrients. Though pre-cut vegetables are also subject to oxidative browning and microbial spoilage, they're monitored by the supplier and removed from the shelves before they spoil.
Pre-Cut Fresh Veggies
Pre-cut vegetables are kept in a controlled cold environment where moisture is maintained, and they have the added benefit of not having to be washed before cooking. This isn't usually a chore, but I do appreciate not having to rinse lettuce. However, if you're not absolutely sure about your sources, make sure you wash those vegetables again because they may have been contaminated during transit.
Recommended Consumption
Dietary guidelines state that 2 ½ cups of vegetables is the recommended daily allowance for a 2000-calorie diet, which is fundamental since vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins and fiber. Pre-cut vegetables are a bit more expensive than canned vegetables; the benefit lies in their freshness and the lack of preservatives. Be sure to eat them within a week to obtain maximum nutritional value.
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Lisa Shanken
My passion is to help you live your healthiest and most harmonious life, but in a way that’s realistic and practical for you as a unique individual on this planet. My philosophy is all about “balance,” never a diet since a diet is not sustainable for life, aka Kill The Diet.
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