Vegetables
Why
According to Canada's Food Guide, vegetables and fruits should make up half of our diet. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer and heart disease, while bringing a multitude of colours, textures and flavours to the plate!
How can I change?
The transition to vegetable food is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially with local purchasing. We eat a variety of foods, we save money, we support local farmers, we freeze to conserve nutrients so that we have them all year round.
Vegetables
Colours, textures and flavours await you!
Prepare
Consider freezing local produce when it’s in season.
Cook
If out of season, choose frozen options. Canned options may contain more sodium.
Choose
- Organic farming: it keeps soil healthy by not using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, preventing erosion, and enhancing nutrient and water absorption capabilities.
- Regional. Prioritize Canadian; however, if you are based in Quebec, for example, it is better to source from Vermont or Maine than Alberta.
- Fresh, field-grown. Cultivation in greenhouses, especially those heated with fossil fuels, emit more greenhouse gases than cultivation on open land.
Did you know
Consider flowers. Flowers can be surprisingly rich in vitamin A (as carotene) or vitamin C.
Vegetable stems, leafy greens and sprouts are great additions to the menu, such as fiddleheads, watercress and nettle.
