What is the difference between fruit and veg

Sweet potato pie is a dessert that is a traditional part of Thanksgiving in the United States. Despite their sweet flavor, sweet potatoes are actually a type of root vegetable, not a fruit. Similarly, candied yams are a baked dish containing yams, another type of edible tuber. Other vegetables with a naturally sweeter flavor include beets, carrots, rutabagas and turnips.

Fruits and vegetables are also naturally low in sodium and fat 2. As you might expect given their sweet taste, fruits tend to have a higher amount of natural sugar and calories compared to most varieties of vegetables. One cup of apples, for example, contains 65 calories and 13 grams of sugar, while one cup of broccoli has just 31 calories and 2 grams of sugar 3 , 4.

Compared to vegetables, some types of fruits may also contain more fiber per gram. The fiber content per grams for fruit ranges from 2—15 grams, while leafy vegetables supply 1. The water content is also highly variable. There are some nutrient differences among different categories of fruits and vegetables, as well.

Here are few nutrition highlights:. Fruit is higher in sugar and calories than vegetables, but both fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Specific types of fruits and vegetables provide different nutrients. There is a good amount of research documenting the many benefits of fruit and vegetable intake on health. Several studies have found that eating more fruits and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease 12 , 13 , Because fruits and vegetables are low in calories but high in fiber, they could even help keep your weight under control.

One study followed , people over a year span. It showed that when people increased their intake of fruits and non-starchy vegetables, their weight tended to decrease Increasing your fiber intake through fruits and vegetables may even reduce your risk of cancer. Multiple studies have found that higher fruit and vegetable consumption is linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer 17 , Finally, fruit and vegetable intake may benefit your blood sugar.

So why don't we stop focusing on our differences, and all look at how we're similar, right? All that is to say, a tomato can be a fruit or a vegetable, it's really up to you.

What's the Difference Between a Fruit and a Vegetable? By Melanie Fincher. Pin FB Share. Fruits and vegetables white background. Credit: Getty Images. Sweet potatoes Yams Rhubarb. All rights reserved. The most controversial example of misclassified produce is the tomato —is it a fruit or a vegetable?

Most of us would call tomatoes a vegetable because you grow them in a vegetable garden with potatoes , lettuce , and carrots which are vegetables. Legally in the United States, since a court ruling in , tomatoes are considered to be vegetables.

But, scientifically, tomatoes are actually fruits. Here are a few more facts about fruits and veggies that might make you rethink a few things. From a culinary standpoint, fruits and vegetables are separated based on taste: fruits are sweet or sour, and vegetables are more mild and savory.

Fruits make great garnishes, desserts, or juices, while vegetables are a hearty side dish or base for the main course. Nutritionally, the only large generalization that can be made is that sweet fruits tend to be higher in natural sugars.

Based on these definitions, the difference between a fruit and a vegetable is technically that a fruit is a type of vegetable. In scientific usage, the difference is that a fruit is specifically the mature ovary of a flowering plant while a vegetable is any other edible part of the plant.

Fruits and vegetables do have some things in common. They are both foods people eat that come from plants. Fruits or vegetables can have a sweet taste or a savory taste.