Why are vegetables so good for us?
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Why are vegetables so good for us?

Everything you need to know about nutrients in vegetables

Vegetables are not just brightly coloured and delicious to eat, they are also important for our bodies as they contain a variety of essential nutrients. Each type of vegetable has its very own "superpowers". You and your child can find out what these are here!

Vegetables are super healthy

As you've probably already noticed, the human body is a miraculous little bundle of energy. Never more so than when the kids are running through the house, climbing and jumping over everything in sight, solving tricky puzzles, singing at the top of their voices or creating new things out of everyday objects. But in order for the body to function in this way, it needs a wide range of nutrients – just like when you water a plant to make it grow. Your body can't produce these nutrients itself and so must absorb them through food. Vegetables represent a good supply of these essential nutrients and should therefore feature regularly on the menu.

Tip

Do you know which vegetables are grown in Switzerland? Find out here!

Vitamins and minerals

Each type of vegetable has its own unique range of vitamins and/or minerals. The more varied your vegetable intake (different types, colours and cooking methods), the more varied the supply of vitamins and minerals to your body. Vitamins are usually referred to by a letter, for example Vitamin A or Vitamin C. Vegetables also contain minerals such as potassium, magnesium and iron. Each different type of vitamin and mineral has a key role in the body. For example, Vitamin C helps the immune system to function properly, while magnesium is essential for proper muscle function.

Dietary fibre

And then there's dietary fibre. This is usually only found in plant-based foods such as vegetables. Dietary fibre cannot be completely broken down by human digestive enzymes – but this is no bad thing. On the contrary, dietary fibre is very important for keeping the digestive system healthy as it feeds the good bacteria in our gut. And it also keeps you feeling full for longer.

The importance of a healthy plate

Each type of vegetable is unique in terms of the nutrients it contains. That's why it's important to eat lots of different vegetables. This allows your body to absorb as many healthy nutrients as possible – the more colourful your plate, the better.

Tomatoes & potatoes

Tomatoes and potatoes are not just a welcome addition on kids' plates but they also contain potassium, which is important for regulating blood pressure. They also work well together in a gratin or vegetable dish.

Carrots

Carrots are not only a wonderful orange colour, but they are also very high in beta carotene. Our bodies can convert beta carotene into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is sometimes also referred to as the "eye vitamin" as it helps promote good vision. Our bodies can absorb beta carotene even better when we eat carrots with a little plant-based oil (ideally rapeseed oil).

Peas

Peas look like little green marbles – little super marbles, to be precise. They contain Vitamin B2 and folic acid. Our bodies need folic acid for healthy blood formation. Vitamin B2, on the other hand, helps to ensure healthy skin, good vision and strong fingernails.

Squash

Just like carrots, squash is also high in beta carotene – hence its orange colour. The dried seeds also contain essential unsaturated fatty acids and essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron.

Broccoli

Broccoli is high in Vitamin C and folic acid. Vitamin C is very important for a healthy immune system. It helps to heal wounds and supports body tissue growth as well as strong bones and teeth. In fact, you could almost say "If you want to be big and strong, you should eat broccoli."

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