There are calories in vegetables, though not nearly as many per gram as in many other foods.
What that means is that that the government's exhortations to eat five a day will not only help you to get the fibre, vitamins and minerals that you need, it can also help dieters and anyone looking to control their weight.
The only time where the calories in vegetables becomes a concern is when you are looking at potatoes and related root vegetables - these very starchy foods can pack on the pounds if you aren't careful.
As with all foods, the way you cook them also makes a huge difference - which is why, for example, chips, or potatoes covered in butter can be such a problem.
Remember also that potatoes don't count towards your five a day, so that bag of crisps is out whichever way you look at it!
Here's what you get from some of the more popular choices :
- Broccoli, 24 calories (kcal) per 100 grams
- Cabbage, 15 kcal per 100 grams
- Raw celery, 6.4 kcal per 100 grams Leeks, 28 kcal per 100 grams
- Peas, 75 kcal per 100 grams
- Potatoes, boiled, 72 kcal per 100 grams
- Carrots, boiled, 23 kcal per 100 grams
It is recommended that you get at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily - a portion is around 80g. In reality, this means that the veg should make up about half your dinner plate.
