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Nutrients in vegetables
Vegetables are naturally low in fat, salt and sugar, making them an excellent food choice. Visit the recipe section of this website to discover some simple and delicious ways to make vegetables a part of your lifestyle.
Vegetables provide energy, vitamins, minerals and fibre and there is growing evidence of additional health benefits from a range of phytonutrients.
Some vegetables contain higher levels of carbohydrate and are often called starchy vegetables. These are usually roots and tubers (see vegetable classifications) such as yams, kumara, taro, parsnip, but also sweet corn and buttercup squash. The starchy vegetables are higher in energy (kilojoules) because of their carbohydrate content.
All other vegetables are classified as non-starchy. Non-starchy vegetables tend to have a higher water content, and are lower in energy but often richer in vitamins and minerals. For example, spinach is a source of folate and potatoes are a source of potassium.
Making half your plate vegetables is a good way to ensure you get enough vegetables: make about half your lunch and dinner meals from non-starchy vegetables. They are nutrient rich and help fill you up with few kilojoules. About one-quarter of your plate should be starchy foods for energy.