Advertisement
The short answer from a dietitian
A: Fresh isn’t necessarily always best. Sometimes fresh vegetables you buy in the grocery store have traveled from a very long distance. After they get picked and packed and transported over the course of several days, they lose some of their nutrients. So frozen vegetables could actually be a better option. They are picked and frozen within hours of being harvested, so they’re going to retain a lot more of their nutrition that way.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Local produce that is grown close to you is also a great, nutritious and cost-effective option. Something you buy at your local farmers market could have been picked that morning, or the day before, so it’s likely fresher than what you’d buy at the supermarket.
Canned vegetables have a very long shelf life. The downside is they often contain sodium. But, you can choose lower sodium versions or rinse your canned vegetables in a colander under running water to get some of the salt off.
So people don’t necessarily have to shy away from canned vegetables. If that’s what you have, use it up. And actually, when it comes to tomatoes, canned tomatoes are going to be healthier than the raw version. Canned tomatoes have been heated, and that increases the amount of lycopene in them that the body can absorb, which is good for eye health.
— Beth Czerwony, RD
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Intermittent fasting could impact your milk supply and energy levels, so it’s best to wait until you’ve weaned your baby from nursing
Although allulose is an FDA-approved sugar substitute, more research is needed to understand its safety
This versatile type of seaweed may help support weight loss, bone health and cancer prevention
Consumption needs vary based on activity, weather, metabolism and other factors
A typical recommended balanced diet is half fruits and veggies, a quarter protein and a quarter grains
Eating enough dairy, fish and leafy greens is a good way to help keep your bones strong
This low-fat, plant-based eating plan includes lifestyle changes, such as exercise, stress management and social support
Eating foods derived from plants can lower your risks of heart disease, diabetes and obesity
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims