You may think that shopping for vegetables is easy. For some people it might be, but for others it leads to some bad decisions. Worst of all, most people don't even know that they are making a bad decision. After all, they are buying healthy vegetables. Of course, not all vegetable are equal.
Fresh, Frozen or Canned
You should always try to choose fresh vegetables. In some areas, this might limit your choices, but fresh is always the best way to go. They will have more nutrients and they will often taste much better. The green beans in a can, for example, bear little resemblance in taste to fresh picked green beans. Fresh should always be the first choice when you are visiting the store.
Frozen is your next option, and it should always be the second choice. When you buy frozen, you should be able to find many more varieties than you will with the fresh vegetables. However, they generally are not as nutritious. Still, they are much better than the canned option.
Canned vegetables might be cheap, but they don't have the same taste as fresh or even frozen. They are healthier than many alternative foods, but that doesn't mean they should be your first choice when you are buying veggies.
Are Vegetable Chips Healthy
One of the things that you are likely to run across in the grocery store is a bag of vegetable chips. Initially, you might think these are a nice and healthy alternative to potato chips. However, when you look at the packaging, you will find that most of the brands of these veggie chips are just as unhealthy as their fried potato counterparts are. Do not make the mistake of choosing these and thinking that they are a healthy option. However, some health food stores do have real veggie chips that are much healthier. Always make sure that you look at the ingredients and the calorie content before you purchase them.
Where to Buy Fresh Vegetables
You will find that you generally have several choices when you are buying fresh veggies. The most obvious choice is the grocery store. Depending on the time of year and the location of the store, they will have a wide selection of produce from which you can choose.
An alternative is a health food store. These stores are similar to grocery stores, but you will not find quite as much junk food in them. Some of the stores will have vegetables that you might not be able to find at the grocery store as well, and often they are organic and locally grown. You may find that they are more expensive as well.
Your community may have a local farmer's market from time to time. You should check it out and see what the local growers are offering. They usually have good prices and a great selection, and this is a way to make sure that your vegetables are very fresh.
Another way to ensure that you have fresh vegetables is to grow your own. Start a garden and plant some of your favorites!
